Patents by Inventor Ian McFarland

Ian McFarland 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).

  • Publication number: 20160357727
    Abstract: A method for defining and delivering wrap packages of cards with custom content to target individuals. The method involves (a) defining a set of cards of a wrap package with one or more variable content container(s), (b) ascertaining if a target recipient of the wrap package has roamed into a range of a beacon, (c) identifying the target recipient in the range of the beacon, (d) associating custom content with the one or more variable content container(s) of the set of cards of the wrap package after the target recipient is identified and (e) distributing the wrap package to the target recipient, the distributed wrap package having the custom content associated with the one or more variable content container(s) of the set of cards of the wrap package respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Kunal K. BHASIN, Eric H. GREENBERG, John M. GARRIS, Ian McFARLAND, Jared L. FICKLIN, Mark E. ROLSTON
  • Publication number: 20160350730
    Abstract: Creating and delivering digital music, along with related multimedia content, in the form of a wrapped package of cards. When a particular wrapped package of cards is created, the cards are selectively authored to include the digital music optionally along with a palette of related multimedia content, application functionality and/or e-commerce related services. In addition, the cards are threaded together into one or more linear sequences intended to convey a book-like experience that unfolds as the cards are sequentially browsed. As a result, the recipient has the ability to experience both the music and the related media content, including partaking in the provided application functionality and e-commerce services, as the as the cards of the wrap are browsed in the one or more linear sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, John M. GARRIS, Ian McFARLAND, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160350731
    Abstract: Creating and delivering a wrap package of cards as a digital companion to the release of a movie. When the wrapped package is created, the cards are preferably authored to include (i) one or more linear sequences intended to convey a book-like narrative including preferably a wide variety of multimedia content related to the movie and (ii) a palette of application functionality and/or e-commerce services. As a result, during consumption, the viewer experiences the unfolding of the narrative as the cards are sequentially browsed. With the application functionality and e-commerce services interwoven within the narrative, the wrap package has the unique ability to deliver multimedia content, interactively engage viewers, and enable the viewers to immediate participate in e-commerce, such as by purchasing tickets and other movie-related merchandise, all while consuming the wrap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, John M. GARRIS, Ian McFARLAND, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160349951
    Abstract: Data structures, components, runtime viewers and methods are described for integrating wrapped packages of cards into various social media feeds and for integrating social media feeds into wraps. In some embodiments, a wrap identifier or cover is provided within a social media feed. In response to selection of the wrap identifier a runtime viewer is initiated and a descriptor that defines the selected wrap is obtained. The runtime viewer creates a wrap instance based on the descriptor. The instance may be displayed in-line within the social media feed, in an overlay frame, a new browser tab or using other suitable mechanisms. Preferably, each card in the wrap is rendered at the same portrait aspect ratio. Within each card, the relative positioning of the card content is immutable. In a separate aspect, a wrap package may include a social media card arranged to display a social media feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, Ian McFARLAND
  • Publication number: 20160350884
    Abstract: Creating and delivering a digital travel companion for a traveler that is an adjunct to a ticket for travel, a reservation and/or a hospitality rental. The digital travel companion is electronically delivered to the traveler and/or customer in the form of a wrapped package of cards. The cards in the wrap are selectively authored to include (i) an itinerary card, (ii) media content and (iii) a palette of application functionality and/or e-commerce related services. In addition, the cards are arranged into one or more linear sequences. Thus, as the wrap package is consumed, the user experience is analogous to the turning of the pages of a book. In non-exclusive embodiments, the media content of the cards can further be authored to convey a narrative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, John M. GARRIS, Ian McFARLAND, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160342573
    Abstract: Creating and delivering advertisements within wrapped packages of cards, which selectively include (i) media content, including advertisement(s) for item(s) available for purchase, (ii) application functionality and/or (iii) e-commerce related transactional services. By defining the sequence order in which the cards are navigated when consumed, wraps may deliver advertisements in the context of a “story” or “narrative”, which unfolds as the cards are sequentially browsed, similar to the turning of the pages of a book or magazine. Ads thus become more compelling. In addition, with built-in transactional functionality, advertised Item(s) can be immediately purchased without having to exit the wrap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, John M. GARRIS, Ian McFARLAND, Jon STEVENS, Francis C. LI, Dana A. LEVINE, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN, Sylvio H. DROUIN
  • Patent number: 9489684
    Abstract: Delivery of a wrap package in response to the selection of an advertisement appearing in a web page, social media feed or in an email, text or other electronic message. In some embodiments, the advertisement may be a “cover” for the wrap package that contains an identifier associate with the wrap. When the cover is selected, the identifier is used to access and deliver the wrap package to the requesting device. In other embodiments, the advertisement may contain a link including the identifier that is then used to retrieve and deliver the wrap when the link is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Wrap Media, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Greenberg, John M. Garris, Ian McFarland, Mark E. Rolston, Jared L. Ficklin
  • Publication number: 20160321222
    Abstract: A variety of data structures, components, runtime viewers and methods are described for defining, delivering and rendering wrapped packages of cards in a manner that is particularly well suited, but not limited to, display on mobile devices. Each card may selectively include media content, and a palette of application functionality and/or supporting e-commerce related services. The cards of the wrap packages are ideally threaded together into one or more linear sequences, and authored to convey a book-like narrative that unfolds as the cards are sequentially browsed. In addition, the wrap packages are portable objects that are readily distributed, similar to other electronic messages, through e-mail, messaging, social-media, or via a variety of other electronic communication platforms. As a result, wrap packages are consumable, sharable and savable objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, Ian McFARLAND, John M. GARRIS, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN, Matthew J. SANTONE, Jon STEVENS
  • Patent number: 9465788
    Abstract: An authoring tool for authoring wrap packages of cards. The authoring tool includes a set of tools that enable an author to create a new card of a wrap selected from a variety of card templates. In various embodiments, the card templates include textual, video, image/photo, document, gallery, chat, widgets, global components, location/GPS, transact, appointment, and end-of-wrap card templates. When a particular card template is selected, the template is then duplicated to create the new card. Thereafter, the author may author the card to include various components, content, attributes, layouts, styles triggers and/or behaviors. As the cards of the wrap are created, the authoring tool provides the author with the ability to order the sequence of the cards. The authoring tool thus enables authors to selectively create wrap packages that include media that conveys a narrative story and application functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Wrap Media, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Greenberg, John M. Garris, Ian McFarland, Jared L. Ficklin, Mark E. Rolston, Matthew J. Santone, Jon Stevens, Eric J. Wicks
  • Patent number: 9449335
    Abstract: Delivery of a wrap package in response to the selection of an advertisement appearing in a web page, social media feed or in an email, text or other electronic message. In some embodiments, the advertisement may be a “cover” for the wrap package that contains an identifier associate with the wrap. When the cover is selected, the identifier is used to access and deliver the wrap package to the requesting device. In other embodiments, the advertisement may contain a link including the identifier that is then used to retrieve and deliver the wrap when the link is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Wrap Media, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Greenberg, John M. Garris, Ian McFarland, Mark E. Rolston, Jared L. Ficklin
  • Patent number: 9448972
    Abstract: Creating and delivering advertisements within wrapped packages of cards, which selectively include (i) media content, including advertisement(s) for item(s) available for purchase, (ii) application functionality and/or (iii) e-commerce related transactional services. By defining the sequence order in which the cards are navigated when consumed, wraps may deliver advertisements in the context of a “story” or “narrative”, which unfolds as the cards are sequentially browsed, similar to the turning of the pages of a book or magazine. Ads thus become more compelling. In addition, with built-in transactional functionality, advertised Item(s) can be immediately purchased without having to exit the wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Wrap Media, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Greenberg, John M. Garris, Ian McFarland, Jon Stevens, Francis C. Li, Dana A. Levine, Mark E. Rolston, Jared L. Ficklin, Sylvio H. Drouin
  • Patent number: 9448988
    Abstract: An authoring tool for authoring wrap packages of cards. The authoring tool includes a set of tools that enable an author to create a new card of a wrap selected from a variety of card templates. In various embodiments, the card templates include textual, video, image/photo, document, gallery, chat, widgets, global components, location/GPS, transact, appointment, and end-of-wrap card templates. When a particular card template is selected, the template is then duplicated to create the new card. Thereafter, the author may author the card to include various components, content, attributes, layouts, styles triggers and/or behaviors. As the cards of the wrap are created, the authoring tool provides the author with the ability to order the sequence of the cards. The authoring tool thus enables authors to selectively create wrap packages that include media that conveys a narrative story and application functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Wrap Media LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Greenberg, John M. Garris, Ian McFarland, Jared L. Ficklin, Mark E. Rolston, Matthew J. Santone, Jon Stevens, Eric J. Wicks
  • Patent number: 9418056
    Abstract: An authoring tool for authoring wrap packages of cards. The authoring tool includes a set of tools that enable an author to create a new card of a wrap selected from a variety of card templates. In various embodiments, the card templates include textual, video, image/photo, document, gallery, chat, widgets, global components, location/GPS, transact, appointment, and end-of-wrap card templates. When a particular card template is selected, the template is then duplicated to create the new card. Thereafter, the author may author the card to include various components, content, attributes, layouts, styles triggers and/or behaviors. As the cards of the wrap are created, the authoring tool provides the author with the ability to order the sequence of the cards. The authoring tool thus enables authors to selectively create wrap packages that include media that conveys a narrative story and application functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Wrap Media, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Greenberg, John M. Garris, Ian McFarland, Jared L. Ficklin, Mark E. Rolston, Matthew J. Santone, Jon Stevens, Eric J. Wicks
  • Publication number: 20160196244
    Abstract: A variety of data structures, components, runtime viewers and methods are described for defining, delivering and rendering wrapped packages of cards in a manner particularly well suited, but not limited to, display on mobile devices. Each card may selectively include media content, a palette of application functionality and/or supporting e-commerce related services. A wrap descriptor, composed of a plurality of card descriptors defines the structure, layout and content of a set of cards that constitute the wrap. The wrap descriptor may take the form of a JSON data object. A runtime viewer that executes on the rendering computing device may be used to transform the wrap descriptor into a runtime instance of the wrap that includes the content and functionality defined by the descriptor. In some implementations, the runtime viewer creates an object graph, which may then be converted to an object model suitable for rendering on the consuming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, Ian MCFARLAND, John M. GARRIS, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN, Matthew J. SANTONE, Jon STEVENS
  • Publication number: 20160162462
    Abstract: An authoring tool for authoring wrap packages of cards. The authoring tool includes a set of tools that enable an author to create a new card of a wrap selected from a variety of card templates. In various embodiments, the card templates include textual, video, image/photo, document, gallery, chat, widgets, global components, location/GPS, transact, appointment, and end-of-wrap card templates. When a particular card template is selected, the template is then duplicated to create the new card. Thereafter, the author may author the card to include various components, content, attributes, layouts, styles triggers and/or behaviors. As the cards of the wrap are created, the authoring tool provides the author with the ability to order the sequence of the cards. The authoring tool thus enables authors to selectively create wrap packages that include media that conveys a narrative story and application functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, John M. GARRIS, Ian MCFARLAND, Jared L. FICKLIN, Mark E. ROLSTON, Matthew J. SANTONE, Jon STEVENS, Eric J. WICKS
  • Publication number: 20160155153
    Abstract: Delivery of a wrap package in response to the selection of an advertisement appearing in a web page, social media feed or in an email, text or other electronic message. In some embodiments, the advertisement may be a “cover” for the wrap package that contains an identifier associate with the wrap. When the cover is selected, the identifier is used to access and deliver the wrap package to the requesting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. Greenberg, John M. Garris, Ian MCFARLAND, Mark E. Rolston, Jared L. Ficklin
  • Publication number: 20160140647
    Abstract: A wrap package of cards including an “active receipt” accompanying the sale of a product and/or service. The active receipt wrap package includes a receipt detailing the purchase of a product and/or service, web and/or application like functionality for facilitating e-commerce related to the purchased product and/or service while the wrap package is being consumed and media content related to the purchased product and/or service, the media content conveying a story-book like experience related to the purchased product and/or service that unfolds as the cards are browsed by a viewer in the one or more linear sequences respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, Ian MCFARLAND, John M. GARRIS, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160132927
    Abstract: Creating and delivering an e-ticket digital companion wrap package in response to the sale or distribution of e-ticket(s) for an event. With e-ticket wrap packages, the cards are selectively authored to include (i) the e-ticket(s), (ii) media content, (iii) application functionality and/or (iv) e-commerce related services. In addition, the cards are authored in one or more linear sequences. With e-ticket digital companion wrap packages, the user experience when browsing is largely dictated by the author/ticket seller, not the ticket purchaser/holder. As a result, digital companion wrap packages have the unique ability to present to the viewer a palette of services, functions and experiences, related to the event and/or performance that the ticket holder will be attending. Further, in certain non-exclusive embodiments, the media of the cards can authored to provide a “story-book” like experience that unfolds as the individual cards are browsed in the one or more sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, John M. GARRIS, Ian MCFARLAND, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160132894
    Abstract: Creating and delivering a digital companion in response to the sale and/or lease of a product and/or service. The digital companion is delivered in the form of a wrapped package of cards. With wrap packages, each card is selectively authored to include (i) media content, (ii) application functionality and/or (iii) e-commerce related services. In addition, the cards are authored in one or more linear sequences. With digital companion wrap packages, the user experience when browsing is largely dictated by the author/retailer, not the customer. As a result, digital companion wrap packages have the unique ability to convey a “story”, with an intertwined a palette of services, functions and experiences included therein, that unfolds as the individual cards are browsed in the one or more sequences, similar to the turning of the pages of a book.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Eric H. GREENBERG, John M. GARRIS, Ian MCFARLAND, Mark E. ROLSTON, Jared L. FICKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160124913
    Abstract: A component model suitable for use in defining, delivering and rendering wrapped packages of cards in a manner particularly well suited, but not limited to, display on mobile devices is described. Using the described component model, each card may selectively include media content, a palette of application functionality and/or supporting e-commerce related services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Ian McFARLAND, John M. GARRIS, Jon STEVENS