Patents by Inventor Ryan Melcher

Ryan Melcher 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: 20150032754
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for creating topic neighborhoods and a visualization for related topic neighborhoods in a networked system are disclosed. The apparatus, in an example embodiment, includes a neighborhood generator configured to receive user input that identifies of a topic for association with a neighborhood; create a neighborhood in association with the identified topic; gather neighborhood information using the identified topic as a search term to search from sources including information related to the topic; automatically invite users to join the created neighborhood; and provide access to the neighborhood via a neighborhood visualization on a webpage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Nathan Sacco, Ryan Melcher
  • Patent number: 8930855
    Abstract: A device incorporates a touch-enabled screen configured to accept a user's interaction with the touch screen to control display of the results of searches for information online and for listings within ecommerce sites. A user's interaction with multipoint pinch gestures, applied to the touch screen and immediately above item data listings, navigates through large volumes of search results. By touch-selection of a facet of the item data returned in an item listing, a user may scale a characteristic of the selected facet of item data according to an application of multipoint pinch gestures. By application of a pinch-out and a pinch-in gesture respectively, a date facet of metadata may be scaled backward and forward in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Han-Shen Yuan, Ryan Melcher, Steve Yankovich
  • Publication number: 20150006291
    Abstract: A method and system for offering an incentive to a user device based on a geographic location associated with a medium identifying the item and the intent of the user are described. For example, a machine receives, from a mobile device of a user, a medium identifying an item, and data that pertains to the geographic location associated with the medium identifying the item. The machine determines, based on the data that pertains to the geographic location associated with the medium identifying the item, the geographic location associated with the medium identifying the item. The machine identifies the item based on the medium identifying the item. The machine offers an incentive associated with the identified item. The incentive may be from at least one merchant located within a distance from the geographic location associated with the medium identifying the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Robert Dean Veres
  • Patent number: 8914737
    Abstract: Examples of a method and system for collaborative and private sessions are provided. A cursor movement request may be received from at least two users of a plurality of users of a collaborative session during a time period. The cursor may move on a common interface according to the cursor movement request from a first user selected from the at least two users that has satisfied a movement criterion. A completion criterion and a private session parameter may be designated for a private session. A number of user interactions may be processed from a participant of the private session. The private shopping session may be terminated for the participant when the completion criterion is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Helen M. Gould, Edward O'Neil Garcia, Ryan Melcher, Diego Lagunas, Alvaro Bolivar, Jennifer T. Anderson, Karenina Susilo, Ryan Spoon, Alan Lewis
  • Patent number: 8868443
    Abstract: A method and a system offer an incentive to a user of a mobile device based on a geographic location of the mobile device and the intent of the user. A processor-implemented location identification module determines the geographic location of the mobile device of the user. A processor-implemented item identification module identifies an item specified by the user at the geographic location of the mobile device. A processor-implemented incentive module offers an incentive from at least one merchant within a predefined distance based on the identified item and the geographic location of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Robert Dean Veres
  • Patent number: 8862690
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for creating topic neighborhoods and a visualization for related topic neighborhoods in a networked system are disclosed. The apparatus in an example embodiment includes a neighborhood generator configured to receive an explicit identification of a topic for association with a neighborhood; create a neighborhood in association with the explicitly identified topic; gather neighborhood information related to the neighborhood from sources related to the topic; and provide access to the neighborhood via a neighborhood visualization on a webpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Sacco, Ryan Melcher
  • Publication number: 20140304256
    Abstract: In various example embodiments, systems and methods to provide sizing content recommendations are provided. An image of a user is received. The image includes a standard-sized marker. In response, sizing data for the user is accessed determined using the image of the user that includes the standard-sized marker. Using the sizing data, a search is performed to determine items matching the sizing data. The matching items are presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Ganga Muthyala
  • Publication number: 20140282247
    Abstract: A device displays a listing of items in an item data display area on a display. The device receives an indication of a pinch gesture from a touch-enabled screen and scales a facet of the item data to produce a scaled-facet listing responsive to the pinch gesture. The device scales by modifying a degree of a characteristic corresponding with a facet of the item data displayed in the scaled-data display area in an increasing amount responsive to the pinch-in gesture. The modifying further comprises producing a scaled-out listing implemented as an updated portion of item data having a temporal indicator that is later than an initial display of item data by an amount proportional to a magnitude of a pinch gesture characteristic corresponding to the pinch-in gesture. Finally, the device displays the scaled-facet listing as an updated set of item data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Han-Shen Yuan, Ryan Melcher, Steve Yankovich
  • Publication number: 20140214661
    Abstract: A method and a system convert the value of a gift card for use with a mobile device. The value of the gift card is determined from an issuer of the gift card. The value of the gift card is stored in a digital payment account in a storage device. The digital payment account stores values of gift cards from issuers. A financial transaction corresponding to the issuer of the gift card is performed on the digital payment account. The value of a first gift card from a first issuer of a first digital payment account is exchanged with the value of a second gift card from a second issuer of a second digital payment account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Robert Dean Veres
  • Patent number: 8762388
    Abstract: In various example embodiments, systems and methods to provide sizing content recommendations are provided. Search parameters are received from a user. In response, sizing data for the user is accessed. Using the sizing data, content from a marketplace matching the sizing data and the search parameters are determined. The matching content comprises a list of one or more items available from the marketplace. The matching content is prioritized for presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Ganga Muthyala
  • Publication number: 20140164079
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method of validating an electronic incentive provided to users is provided. An electronic incentive can be distributed to a first user. The electronic incentive provides a first discount amount for an item or service. A first indication that the electronic incentive has been redeemed at a merchant point of sale terminal can later be received. Validation may then occur to ensure that the electronic incentive referred to in the first indication is the electronic incentive distributed to the first user. Then, the first discount amount can be dynamically altered into a second discount amount different than the first discount amount, so that a redemption of the electronic incentive by the first user provides a discount equal to the second discount amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: John Tapley, Ryan Melcher, Krystal Rose Higgins
  • Patent number: 8745543
    Abstract: A device incorporates a touch-enabled screen configured to accept a user's interaction with the touch screen to control display of the results of searches for information online and for listings within ecommerce sites. A user's interaction with multipoint pinch gestures, applied to the touch screen and immediately above item data listings, navigates through large volumes of search results. By touch-selection of a facet of the item data returned in an item listing, a user may scale a characteristic of the selected facet of item data according to an application of multipoint pinch gestures. By application of a pinch-out and a pinch-in gesture respectively, a date facet of metadata may be scaled backward and forward in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Han-Shen Yuan, Ryan Melcher, Steve Yankovich
  • Publication number: 20140137007
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-directional visual browsing on an electronic device are described. In example embodiments, a primary result and a peripheral result are determined. A display layout based on attributes associated with the primary result and the peripheral result is generated. The display layout is then formatted into instructions, which will cause a device to render the display layout. The instructions are transmitted to the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Melcher, Dane Howard
  • Patent number: 8701982
    Abstract: A method and a system convert the value of a gift card for use with a mobile device. A gift card listing of gift cards available for exchange offers is generated in a gift card exchange market. A captured digital image of a first gift card from a first issuer from a first digital payment account is transferred to a second digital payment account. The captured digital image of the first gift card is for use by a second user. A captured digital image of the second gift card from the second issuer from a second digital payment account is transferred to the first digital payment account. The captured digital image of the second gift card is for use by a first user. The first gift card and the second gift card are listed for exchange in the gift card exchange market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Robert Dean Veres
  • Publication number: 20140108196
    Abstract: Methods and systems to generate and manage an item trading card are provided. A method may include providing an interface to access an item trading card associated with an item, and generating the item trading card including an item identifier associated with the item, a trading card identifier associated with the trading card, item data about the item, and market data about the item. The method further includes sharing the item trading card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: EBAY INC.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Robert Veres
  • Patent number: 8635210
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-directional visual browsing on an electronic device are described. In example embodiments, a primary result and a peripheral result are determined. A display layout based on attributes associated with the primary result and the peripheral result is generated. The display layout is then formatted into instructions, which will cause a device to render the display layout. The instructions are transmitted to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Melcher, Dane Howard
  • Patent number: 8626600
    Abstract: Methods and systems to generate and manage an item trading card are provided. A method may include providing an interface to access an item trading card associated with an item, and generating the item trading card including an item identifier associated with the item, a trading card identifier associated with the trading card, item data about the item, and market data about the item. The method further includes sharing the item trading card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Robert Veres
  • Publication number: 20130334304
    Abstract: A method and a system convert the value of a gift card for use with a mobile device. A gift card listing of gift cards available for exchange offers is generated in a gift card exchange market. A captured digital image of a first gift card from a first issuer from a first digital payment account is transferred to a second digital payment account. The captured digital image of the first gift card is for use by a second user. A captured digital image of the second gift card from the second issuer from a second digital payment account is transferred to the first digital payment account. The captured digital image of the second gift card is for use by a first user. The first gift card and the second gift card are listed for exchange in the gift card exchange market.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Robert Dean Veres
  • Publication number: 20130262450
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-directional visual browsing on an electronic device are described. In example embodiments, a primary result and a peripheral result are determined. A display layout based on attributes associated with the primary result and the peripheral result is generated. The display layout is then formatted into instructions, which will cause a device to render the display layout. The instructions are transmitted to the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Melcher, Dane Howard
  • Publication number: 20130238614
    Abstract: In various example embodiments, systems and methods to provide sizing content recommendations are provided. Search parameters are received from a user. In response, sizing data for the user is accessed. Using the sizing data, content from a marketplace matching the sizing data and the search parameters are determined. The matching content comprises a list of one or more items available from the marketplace. The matching content is prioritized for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Ganga Muthyala