Patents by Inventor Kathleen Van Luchene
Kathleen Van Luchene 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).
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Patent number: 9754302Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Groupon, Inc.Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Peter Kim, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik Fincham, Daniel E. Tedesco, Russell Pratt Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Raymond J. Mueller, Keith Bemer, Kathleen Van Luchene
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Patent number: 9684916Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Groupon, Inc.Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Peter Kim, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik Fincham, Daniel E Tedesco, Russell Pratt Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Raymond J. Mueller, Keith Bemer, Kathleen Van Luchene
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Publication number: 20160055558Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Peter Kim, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik, Daniel E. Tedesco, Russell Pratt Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Raymod J. Mueller, Keith Bemer, Kathleen Van Luchene
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Publication number: 20150012343Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Jay S. WALKER, Peter KIM, James A. JORASCH, Magdalena MIK, Daniel E. TEDESCO, Russell Pratt SAMMON, Andrew P. GOLDEN, Raymod J. MUELLER, Keith BEMER, Kathleen VAN LUCHENE
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Patent number: 8799100Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Groupon, Inc.Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Peter Kim, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik, Daniel E. Tedesco, Russell Pratt Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Raymod J. Mueller, Keith Bemer, Kathleen Van Luchene
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Publication number: 20130218700Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Peter Kim, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik, Daniel E. Tedesco, Russell Pratt Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Raymod J. Mueller, Keith Bemer, Kathleen Van Luchene
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Publication number: 20120330771Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Peter Kim, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik, Daniel E. Tedesco, Russell Pratt Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Raymod J. Mueller, Keith Bemer, Kathleen Van Luchene
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Publication number: 20120084166Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller and a buyer. According to one embodiment, seller offer information is received at a controller. The seller offer information is associated with an item, such as a secondary market item, being offered for sale by a seller. Buyer offer information, associated with a buyer offering to make a purchase, is also received. An evaluation rule is determined, and the seller offer information and the buyer offer information are matched based on the evaluation rule. It is then arranged for the seller to sell the item to the buyer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: Walker Digital Management, LLCInventors: Andrew S. Van Luchene, John C. Caine, Kathleen Van Luchene, Michiko Kobayashi, Ronald E. Zepp, II, Robert J. Anderson
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Patent number: 8150735Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Groupon, Inc.Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Peter Kim, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik, Daniel E. Tedesco, Russell Pratt Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Raymod J. Mueller, Keith Bemer, Kathleen Van Luchene
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Patent number: 8046265Abstract: A method is provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller and a buyer. Buyer information regarding a desired product is received. A controller then searches through a plurality of seller database records associated with products offered for sale by sellers, for a seller database record that corresponds to the buyer information. Based on the searching a determination is made that no seller database record corresponds to the buyer information. Upon determination that no seller database record corresponds to the buyer information the buyer submits additional information defining a commitment to purchase the product. This information indicating a quality associated with the desired product and a maximum price that the buyer commits to pay. After receiving this information a new seller database record is created with a specific product offered for sale by a specific seller that corresponds with the additional buyer information, and the buyer is automatically charged for the specific product.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Andrew S. Van Luchene, John C. Caine, Kathleen Van Luchene, Michiko Kobayashi, Ronald E. Zepp, II, Robert J. Anderson
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Publication number: 20110131111Abstract: One or more proxy bidders is associated with a rule which determines a time to place a bid. The proxy bidder places a bid at the determined time, instead of immediately after the bidder's prior bid is exceeded. Such rules may be selected for all proxy bidders to encourage a desired auction behavior. By controlling the placement of bids based on rules associated with the desired auction behavior, bids may be placed in a manner that seems natural and competitive to bidders in the auction when, in fact, they are placed in accordance with the selected rules. The desired auction behavior may be selected statically for an auction or dynamically during the auction. Historical auction data maybe analyzed to characterize the behavior of an auction, such as the average period of time between bids and the average increment between bids. Rules may be generated to correspond to a behavior so as to provide the same average time and increment between bids.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: WALKER DIGITAL, LLCInventors: JAY S. WALKER, DANIEL E. TEDESCO, KATHLEEN VAN LUCHENE, JAMES A. JORASCH, ADAM WARE
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Patent number: 7899737Abstract: One or more proxy bidders is associated with a rule which determines a time to place a bid. The proxy bidder places a bid at the determined time, instead of immediately after the bidder's prior bid is exceeded. Such rules may be selected for all proxy bidders to encourage a desired auction behavior. By controlling the placement of bids based on rules associated with the desired auction behavior, bids may be placed in a manner that seems natural and competitive to bidders in the auction when, in fact, they are placed in accordance with the selected rules. The desired auction behavior may be selected statically for an auction or dynamically during the auction. Historical auction data maybe analyzed to characterize the behavior of an auction, such as the average period of time between bids and the average increment between bids. Rules may be generated to correspond to a behavior so as to provide the same average time and increment between bids.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, Kathleen Van Luchene, James A. Jorasch, Adam Ware
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Patent number: 7801802Abstract: One or more proxy bidders is associated with a rule which determines a time to place a bid. The proxy bidder places a bid at the determined time, instead of immediately after the bidder's prior bid is exceeded. Such rules may be selected for all proxy bidders to encourage a desired auction behavior. By controlling the placement of bids based on rules associated with the desired auction behavior, bids may be placed in a manner that seems natural and competitive to bidders in the auction when, in fact, they are placed in accordance with the selected rules. The desired auction behavior may be selected statically for an auction or dynamically during the auction. Historical auction data maybe analyzed to characterize the behavior of an auction, such as the average period of time between bids and the average increment between bids. Rules may be generated to correspond to a behavior so as to provide the same average time and increment between bids.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, Kathleen Van Luchene, James A. Jorasch, Adam Ware
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Patent number: 7711604Abstract: A system is provided in which a sale price is determined based on a product description, and the sale price is transmitted to a customer. The customer is not guaranteed what specific product will be sold to the customer before an agreement to purchase a product for the sale price is received from the customer. After receiving the agreement, a retailer selects a product conforming to the product description, and identifies the product to the customer. The retailer is able to evaluate a customer's individual demand based on the received description and to determine a sale price accordingly, thereby reducing losses associated with conventional single-price systems. Although this may result in different sale prices for an identical product, the system is perceived as fair because a higher-paying customer likely agreed to a different product description than a lower-paying customer, and neither would have agreed to the other's product description and sale price.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Peter Kim, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik, Daniel E. Tedesco, Russell Pratt Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Raymod J. Mueller, Keith Bemer, Kathleen Van Luchene
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Publication number: 20090271290Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller and a buyer. According to one embodiment, seller offer information is received at a controller. The seller offer information is associated with an item, such as a secondary market item, being offered for sale by a seller. Buyer offer information, associated with a buyer offering to make a purchase, is also received. An evaluation rule is determined, and the seller offer information and the buyer offer information are matched based on the evaluation rule. It is then arranged for the seller to sell the item to the buyer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Andrew S. Van Luchene, John C. Caine, Kathleen Van Luchene, Michiko Kobayashi, Ronald E. Zepp, II, Robert J. Anderson
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Publication number: 20070143173Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. In some embodiments, a party may be a homeowner. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requester terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requester, while maintaining their anonymity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2007Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Magdalena Fincham, Kathleen Van Luchene, John Packes
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Publication number: 20070129965Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requester terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requester, while maintaining their anonymity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2007Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Magdalena Fincham, Kathleen Van Luchene, John Packes
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Publication number: 20070129966Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requester terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requester, while maintaining their anonymity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2007Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Magdalena Fincham, Kathleen Van Luchene, John Packes
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Publication number: 20060245553Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. In some embodiments, a party may be a homeowner. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requester terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requestor, while maintaining their anonymity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Jay WALKER, James Jorasch, Magdalena Fincham, Kathleen Van Luchene, John Packes
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Publication number: 20060241963Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. In some embodiments, a party may be a homeowner. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requester terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requestor, while maintaining their anonymity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Jay Walker, James Jorasch, Magdalena Fincham, Kathleen Van Luchene, John Packes