Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Willoughby

Douglas A. Willoughby 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).

  • System and method for computer based searches using genetic algorithms
    Patent number: 7117202
    Abstract: A system for conducting a computer based search that includes a bidding bulletin board to post a user search query from a user, an agent that submits a bid to the bidding bulletin board in response to the query, where the agent is associated with a search result, and a display server to display the search result if the bidding bulletin board accepts the bid, where an amount bid is determined by behavioral rules for the agent. Also, a method that includes the steps of posting a user search query from a user on a bidding bulletin board, receiving a bid from an agent at the bidding bulletin board in response to the query, where the agent is associated with a search result, and displaying the search result if the bulletin board accepts the bid, where the amount bid is determined by behavioral rules for the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Willoughby