Patents by Inventor Brian Alan Grove

Brian Alan Grove has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11875359
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: EBAY INC.
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20220198462
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 11354713
    Abstract: A method and system to generate a portable contract document are provided. The method includes receiving contract information from a client device via an interactive electronic document having one more visual controls. The contract information comprises sale item information, buyer information, and sale price information. The method further includes generating a contract document for a sale of the sale item, utilizing the contract information, and communicating the contract document to the client device via a network communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: EBAY INC.
    Inventor: Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 11288680
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20210027304
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 10832253
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20200134634
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20200126132
    Abstract: A method and system to generate a portable contract document are provided. The method includes receiving contract information from a client device via an interactive electronic document having one more visual controls. The contract information comprises sale item information, buyer information, and sale price information. The method further includes generating a contract document for a sale of the sale item, utilizing the contract information, and communicating the contract document to the client device via a network communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventor: Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 10546301
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 10546333
    Abstract: A web-based service capable of generating a portable contract document is described. The web-based service generates a user interface comprising an interactive electronic document. The interactive electronic document displays, on at least one screen, a first visual control for collecting sale item information, a second visual control for collecting seller information, a third visual control for collecting buyer information, and a fourth visual control for collecting sale price information. The information obtained via the interactive electronic document is used by the web-based service for generating a contract document for a sale of the sale item. The generated contract document is communicated to a client device via a network communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20190259035
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 10325267
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options described generally herein. The system receives information from a first user about an offered item via a web page and communication preferences for use with a real-time contact option to be presented on the web page, whereby the communication preferences including a first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition. The system selectively presents to a second user the information about the offered item and the real-time contact option based on a determination that the first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition is satisfied. The system enables the second user to select the real-time contact option. In response to the second user selecting the real-time contact option, the system communicates to the first user a real-time contact request and information identifying the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20190026799
    Abstract: A web-based service capable of generating a portable contract document is described. The web-based service generates a user interface comprising an interactive electronic document. The interactive electronic document displays, on at least one screen, a first visual control for collecting sale item information, a second visual control for collecting seller information, a third visual control for collecting buyer information, and a fourth visual control for collecting sale price information. The information obtained via the interactive electronic document is used by the web-based service for generating a contract document for a sale of the sale item. The generated contract document is communicated to a client device via a network communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 10108994
    Abstract: A method and system to generate a portable contract document are provided. The system may include a description module, a price module and a contract document generator. The description module may be configured to receive, from a potential buyer, identification information associated with a sale item. The price module may be configured to receive, from the potential buyer, a price information associated with the sale item. The contract document generator may be configured to respond to a request by the potential buyer by automatically generating a contract document for a sale of the sale item, utilizing the identification information and the price information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20180247315
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options described generally herein. The system receives information from a first user about an offered item via a web page and communication preferences for use with a real-time contact option to be presented on the web page, whereby the communication preferences including a first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition. The system selectively presents to a second user the information about the offered item and the real-time contact option based on a determination that the first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition is satisfied. The system enables the second user to select the real-time contact option. In response to the second user selecting the real-time contact option, the system communicates to the first user a real-time contact request and information identifying the second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 9978069
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described generally herein. The system receives information from a first user about an offered item via a web page and communication preferences for use with a real-time contact option to be presented on the web page, whereby the communication preferences including a first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition. The system selectively presents to a second user the information about the offered item and the real-time contact option based on a determination that the first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition is satisfied. The system enables the second user to select the real-time contact option. In response to the second user selecting the real-time contact option, the system communicates to the first user a real-time contact request and information identifying the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20170286968
    Abstract: Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described generally herein. The system receives information from a first user about an offered item via a web page and communication preferences for use with a real-time contact option to be presented on the web page, whereby the communication preferences including a first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition. The system selectively presents to a second user the information about the offered item and the real-time contact option based on a determination that the first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition is satisfied. The system enables the second user to select the real-time contact option. In response to the second user selecting the real-time contact option, the system communicates to the first user a real-time contact request and information identifying the second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Patent number: 9684901
    Abstract: Embodiments of configuring elements of a publication server of a product or server sales architecture in mechanisms are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Anderson Stuart, Brian Alan Grove
  • Publication number: 20160232604
    Abstract: Systems and methods to adjust a reserve price in a network-based commerce system are described. The system receives a proxy bid and an opt-in confirming the proxy bid is binding as an opt-in bid regardless of an adjustment to the reserve price by a seller. The system further receives an adjustment to the reserve price to generate an adjusted reserve price based on the received adjustment. Next, the system identifies whether the adjusted reserve price is less than the proxy bid. Next, the system identifies the proxy bid as an opt-in bid as a high proxy bid and the adjusted reserve price as lower than the high proxy bid. Finally, the system automatically designates the bidder associated with the high proxy bid as the current highest bidder of the item that is being auctioned and increases the proxy bid to the adjusted reserve price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Brian Alan Grove, Zachary James Edson, Steve Grove, Andrew Leigh Sandler
  • Patent number: 9355422
    Abstract: A method and system that introduces a fixed-price transaction mechanism in conjunction with an auction transaction mechanism. The system facilitates a network-based auction price-setting process for a listing using a fixed price-setting process. The listing includes a reserve price that is adjusted by receiving, via an interface, an adjustment to the reserve price to generate an adjusted reserve price. The system further identifies whether the adjusted reserve price is less than a proxy bid that has been received from a bidder for the listing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Alan Grove, Zachary James Edson, Steve Grove, Andrew Leigh Sandler