Based On Inventory Patents (Class 705/14.24)
  • Patent number: 11887394
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes image analysis techniques that identify the source of a document. Once the source of the document is determined, the image analysis may locate one or more anchor fields in the document. The anchor fields may identify one or more additional fields that contain time-sensitive data and/or information. The image analysis performed herein may identify the time-sensitive data and/or information and process the data and/or information to schedule due dates and reminders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Chu, Jonatan Yucra Rodriguez, Alexander Golovanov
  • Patent number: 11836753
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method performed by one or more processors of a mobile wallet computer system is provided. The method includes: receiving, by network interface logic of the mobile wallet computer system, at least one offer from at least one merchant; determining, by one or more processors of the mobile wallet computer system, an offer to provide to a mobile device of a user; causing, by the one or more processors, an image to be displayed on the mobile device taken from a camera of the mobile device; generating, by augmented reality logic, an overlay display configured to overlay the image, the overlay display providing additional information related to the offer to the user; generating, by the one or more processors, an offer code for the mobile device of the user for providing to a merchant; and sending, by the one or more processors, the offer code to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Ellis, Michael J. Kennedy, Ashish Bhoopen Kurani, Melissa Lowry, Uma Meyyappan, Bipin Sahni, Nikolai Stroke
  • Patent number: 11727214
    Abstract: A sentence classification apparatus, a sentence classification method, and a sentence classification program that can appropriately classify sentences by adjusting parameters are provided. The sentence classification apparatus includes: a case sentence obtention unit for obtaining plural case sentences which are associated with effect values that are values obtained by evaluating effects; a case value creation unit for creating case values obtained by numerizing the case sentences for each of parameters with different values; a correlation coefficient calculation unit for calculating a correlation coefficient between the case values and the effect values for each of the values of the parameters; and a parameter selection unit for selecting a parameter among the parameters with different values on the basis of the correlation coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroko Otaki, Kunihiko Kido
  • Patent number: 11720937
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for negotiating a price of a product for a user may comprise obtaining an identification of the user via a device associated with the user; obtaining social influence data of the user based on the identification of the user, wherein the social influence data of the user includes a net promoter score or a social ranking of the user; obtaining purchase parameter data of the user based on the identification of the user, wherein the purchase parameter data of the user includes a credit score, an income range, or a transaction history of the user; determining a user-specific price of the product based on the purchase parameter data and the social influence data using a trained machine learning model; and transmitting, to the user, a notification indicative of the user-specific price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rule, Kevin Osborn
  • Patent number: 11587104
    Abstract: The transaction processing system and method provide an efficient and effective way to authorize promotion redemption. The transaction processing system may receive an indication of a request for authorization, the indication comprising a merchant identifier, an account number, and a transaction amount. The transaction processing system may determine whether the request for authorization corresponds to a promotion. The system may further transmit a transaction authorization based on whether the request for authorization corresponds to the promotion. The transaction processing system may cause a promotion database to designate the promotion as redeemed. In this fashion, the transaction processing system improves the consumer experience and minimizes the transaction time needed to identify and redeem a promotion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Yishai Lerner, Mihir Shah, Gene Alston, Ben Kim
  • Patent number: 11315163
    Abstract: A food item selection system may include a remote device configured to obtain an image of a food item having an associated ripeness and a selection server configured to store respective ripeness preferences for users. The selection server may also be configured to obtain the image of the food item from the remote device, determine a ripeness of the food item based upon the image, and associate the image with a given user from among the users. The selection server may also be configured to compare the determined ripeness with the respective ripeness preference for the given user and send a selection notification to the remote device based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: INMAR CLEARING, INC.
    Inventors: Alise Raak, Andreas M. Benamou, Sean A. Briscoe, Diana Medina, Jess D. Walker
  • Patent number: 11270255
    Abstract: A method for ESL utilizing light communications includes selecting for ESL, a product stocked on shelf slotting space in a retail environment and querying a database with an identifier for the selected product and receiving in response to the querying, pricing data for the selected product. The method additionally includes selecting a frequency of communication above a specified strobe rate for a lighting system illuminating the retail environment and transmitting a directive to a controller for the lighting system directing the lighting system to communicate the pricing data to a shelf labeling module associated with the selected product. Thereafter, in response to the directive, the controller encodes the pricing data into a strobe pattern of the lighting system and activates the pattern thereby communicating the pricing data to the shelf labeling module which then decodes the pricing data from the strobe pattern and display the pricing data in a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Li-Tag LLC
    Inventors: Amir Aboelezz Weliam, Tamer Sherif Ishak, Tony Micheal Attia
  • Patent number: 11216863
    Abstract: A method and graphical user interface in a digital retail shopping system. A client device is in communication with a network. The client device has a display said network connectable to a server and a database of products for purchase. A view of a selected product is presented on the display. A detail of a selected product is retrieved from the database. A detail of the selected product is presented on the display. A personal preferences profile of the user is processed. A comparison parameter is determined, associated with the detail of the selected product and the personal preferences profile of the user. Based on the comparison parameter, an advisory message is generated related to the selected product and the personal preferences profile. The advisory message on the display of the client device is displayed with the view of the selected product and with a detail of the selected product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Roy Ittah
  • Patent number: 11143543
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a processor, a memory, and a door. A scale is configured to, when the door is opened, measure the weight of an item placed in the apparatus. A scanner is then configured to, when the door is opened, scan an item placed in the apparatus. The processor is then configured to track the weight of the item when the item is placed in the apparatus and to automatically reorder more of the item in response to a determination that the weight of the item has fallen below a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Krystal Rose Higgins, John Tapley, Eric J. Farraro
  • Patent number: 11062483
    Abstract: Systems, computer program products, and methods are described herein for dynamic transformation of electronic representation of resources. The present invention is configured to electronically receive a request from a user to access one or more resources; electronically receive information associated with the one or more resources associated with the user from a resource database; generate an electronic representation of the one or more resources; transmit control signals configured to cause the application stored on the computing device associated with the user to display the electronic representation of the one or more resources; electronically receive one or more input signals from the user, via the application, to interact with the electronic representation of the one or more resources; and initiate an execution of one or more actions on the electronic representation of the one or more resources in response to the one or more input signals from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Saurabh Mavani, Francis Schommer, Martha Sain McClellan, Oscar Guzman, Lisa Janette Ebba Weekes
  • Patent number: 11062355
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for generating a schedule for promotions using promotional windows. A set of product data associated with a plurality of products is received. Promotion data is received, and a plurality of intensity scores are calculated for the associated promotional data. A set of target product data associated with a target product is determined. A set of target promotional attributes is determined and a plurality of promotion windows are generated for display. A confidence value is determined for each generated promotion window of the plurality of promotion windows. An order list is generated for display. In response to receiving a second set of promotion data, the determined confidence value is modified for each generated promotion window of the plurality of promotion windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bharath Ganesh, Gerin Jacob, Dhandapani Shanmugam, Tuhin Sharma
  • Patent number: 11055692
    Abstract: Application integration for contactless payments is described. In an example, a payment making platform can provide a transaction code to a payment processing platform. The transaction code can be presented at a point-of-sale of a transaction between a customer and a merchant associated with the payment processing platform. Upon detecting an interaction between the transaction code and a computing device of the customer, the payment making platform and the payment processing platform can exchange data to enable the customer to participate in the transaction via the computing device of the customer. In some examples, the payment making platform and the payment processing platform can process a contactless payment for the transaction by transferring funds associated with an account of the customer from the payment making platform to the payment processing platform for depositing into an account of the merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Pritesh Bodalia, Deepkarn Bedi, Christopher Sukovich, Vinh Au, Jessica Bullitt
  • Patent number: 11023917
    Abstract: Provided are systems and processes for distribution of offer codes, including: obtaining a plurality of offer codes from a merchant, each offer code associated with a start date an expiration date and receiving, via a network, a plurality of requests for offer codes from a respective plurality of consumer user device, each request occurring during a respective time period. For each request, an offer code is selected from the plurality of offer codes based on the start date, the expiration date, and the respective time the request was received and the selected offer code is sent to the requesting consumer user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: RETAILMENOT, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R Rego, Scott J Throndson
  • Patent number: 11017193
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a memory that stores a plurality of sets of promotion information about commodities to be promoted, each in association with a commodity code of a related commodity and a parameter value, a network interface, and a processor configured to, upon receipt of a commodity code of a commodity to be purchased by a customer from a portable terminal, search the memory for promotion information associated with the received commodity code, when one set of promotion information is found by the search, determine the promotion information to be output, when two or more sets of promotion information are found by the search, determine one of the sets of promotion information associated with a greatest parameter value to be output, and control the network interface to transmit to the portable terminal the promotion information determined to be output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenya Hiramatsu, Takashi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10930043
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for identifying objects of interest and providing relevant information about the objects of interest using augmented reality devices are disclosed. For example, a computer-implemented method may include identifying an object of interest among a plurality of objects present in an image view, determining real-time information for the object of interest based on the identifying, presenting the determined real-time information for the object of interest as part of the image view, and processing a transaction involving the object of interest based on a user selection associated with the image view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: PayPal, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamal Zamer
  • Patent number: 10902378
    Abstract: A server for providing inventory management includes a storage device that stores: an inventory database data including an identification code of each of a plurality of commodities owned by a user, and location data corresponding to a predetermined area. A processor receives, from a portable terminal, an identification code acquired by the portable terminal and position information indicating a position of the portable terminal. The processor determines whether the position information corresponds to a position within the predetermined area. If the position information corresponds to a position within the predetermined area, the storage device updates the inventory database based on the received identification code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tohru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10825087
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a purchase transaction using rewards points by receiving a purchase request using a financial account with associated account information, determining based on the account information that the financial account is associated with a rewards program with rewards points, and providing the option to pay for the purchase using the financial account or at least a portion of the rewards points. The purchase may be paid for using rewards points from multiple rewards programs and/or multiple financial accounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CAPITAL ONE SERVICS, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Elliott, Matthew Sextone, Patricia Hansen, Rhett Edwards
  • Patent number: 10824754
    Abstract: A vertically integrated access control system may store in a database data records corresponding to the interfaces, access control rules, and computing resources of an information system, as well as data records for entity capabilities. Data records for related interfaces, access control rules, computing resources, and entity capabilities may be linked. Using the database, the system may determine the entity capabilities that can be performed based on an existing user entitlement. If the entity capabilities include a flagged combination of entity capabilities, the system may perform an information security action to remediate the flagged combination. The system may use the database to form vertically integrated access units. The vertically integrated access units may be used to form user entitlements. The system may continuously monitor whether any proposed configurations would create a flagged combination of entity capabilities, and if so take an action to prevent such flagged combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Howard Kling, Brandon Sloane, Regina Yee Cadavid, Rachel Yun Kim Bierner, Ronald James Kuhlmeier
  • Patent number: 10607022
    Abstract: A vertically integrated access control system may store in a database data records corresponding to the interfaces, access control rules, and computing resources of an information system, as well as data records for entity capabilities. Data records for related interfaces, access control rules, computing resources, and entity capabilities may be linked. Using the database, the system may determine the entity capabilities that can be performed based on an existing user entitlement. If the entity capabilities include a flagged combination of entity capabilities, the system may perform an information security action to remediate the flagged combination. The system may use the database to form vertically integrated access units. The vertically integrated access units may be used to form user entitlements. The system may continuously monitor whether any proposed configurations would create a flagged combination of entity capabilities, and if so take an action to prevent such flagged combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: John Howard Kling, Brandon Sloane, Regina Yee Cadavid, Rachel Yun Kim Bierner, Ronald James Kuhlmeier
  • Patent number: 10586204
    Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product dynamically controls an available inventory level for a particular product. An in-store shopper identification receiver receives an in-store shopper's identification signal from an in-store shopper identification transmitter in a shopper's personal electronic device. Based on the in-store shopper being in the physical store, a local area network connection between the shopper's personal electronic device and a local area network in the physical store is activated, thus enabling a retrieval of an in-store shopper's wish list stored on the shopper's personal electronic device. The available inventory level for the particular product on the in-store shopper's wish list is then adjusted according to the presence of the in-store shopper in the store and the contents of the in-store shopper's wish list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jialin Li, Danai Tengtrakool
  • Patent number: 10504089
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method can comprise receiving a request from a client device to join a wireless local area network in a store, allowing the client device to connect to a router of the wireless local area network, and using a portion of an address of the router to identify the store. The method can comprise determining one or more taxes based on a location of the store and receiving a selection from a user through the wireless local area network of one or more selected items from one or more available items. The method can further comprise determining a price for each of the one or more selected items based at least in part on the portion of the address of the router and calculating a tax for each one of the one or more selected items based at least in part on the portion of the address of the router. Other embodiments of related methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Berk Atikoglu, Eytan Daniyalzade
  • Patent number: 10346899
    Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring user preference information of a user that indicates one or more customized food preferences of the user including at least one or more ingredient integrity preferences related to integrity of one or more ingredients; determining that there is no capable automated customized food generation machine present in nearby vicinity of the user that is able to currently generate one or more customized food items in compliance with the one or more customized food preferences of the user; and identifying one or more substitute automated customized food generation machines present in the nearby vicinity of the user that are able to currently generate at least one substitute customized food item that is only in partial compliance with the one or more customized food preferences of the user. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Pablos Holman, Mark A. Malamud, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Max R. Levchin, Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord
  • Patent number: 10154161
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an operating method thereof are provided. The image forming apparatus uses supplied mounted therein, and includes at least one computer processor configured to determine a grade of the image forming apparatus based on an accumulated usage of the supplies, and determine a range of available grades of the supplies, based on the determined grade of the image forming apparatus, and a memory configured to store information about the grade of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: S-Printing Solution Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-yoon Lee, Hong-rok Woo
  • Patent number: 10054971
    Abstract: A received electric power reduction information calculation apparatus (corresponding to an example of a received energy reduction information calculation apparatus) has an energy predictor and a reduction information calculator. The energy predictor predicts a prediction amount of at least one of energy supply and energy consumption in a future prescribed time period with respect to at least one of an energy-supplying equipment and an energy-consuming equipment, based on a request for reduction of the received energy. The reduction information calculator calculates the reduction amount of the received energy associated with the prediction amount, based on an energy fee reflected from an expected fee of incentive with respect to the reduction request of the received energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaaki Saito, Dai Murayama, Yutaka Iino, Nagako Hisada
  • Patent number: 9916562
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer-readable media related to competitive merchandise fulfillment delivery speed monitoring. Competitor merchants for a geographic region may be identified. Data for merchandise from sources associated with the competitor merchants may be obtained. A set of policies may be retrieved. The obtained data may be analyzed based at least in part on the policies to identify merchandise and an associated delivery speed available via the one or more competitor merchants. One or more suggested inventory management actions affecting the identified merchandise available via an online retailer may be generated based at least in part on the analyzed data. Implementation of at least one of the suggested inventory management actions may be facilitated. A website of the online retailer may be updated for the identified merchandise based at least in part on the implementation of the at least one of the one or more suggested inventory management actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Simons Armato
  • Patent number: 9280782
    Abstract: Architectures and techniques are described to provide a number of options to exchange information related to deals via a plurality of channels. Each of the communication channels may be utilized to exchange communications about different aspects of acquiring and redeeming deals. The channel options may be related to categories of computing devices, operating systems executed by computing devices, one or more sites, various forms of communication, client device applications, etc. A service provider that offers deals on behalf of merchants may determine one or more options for each communication channel with respect to merchants offering deals and with respect individuals that may participate in deals offered by the service provider. After determining the channel options for a deal offered by a particular merchant and for individuals designated to receive information about the deal, communications with respect to the deal may be exchanged over the channels via certain channel options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technolgies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. George, Aditya Balwant Pande, Gustavo E. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20150127444
    Abstract: This disclosure comprises a method and system that enable providers of products and services to run effective and efficient discount campaigns when selling their products and services. The method and system in this disclosure accomplish this by enabling providers to bundle their heterogeneous products and/or services in bundles at a discount rate, that may vary across products and/or services within the same bundle, conditional on sales in a given bundle meeting a base dollar volume within a certain period of time specified by the provider offering the bundle. Executing the offered deals requires the accumulated dollar volume of the purchases to match or exceed the base dollar volume of sales within the specified period of time. Otherwise, the discounted bundle is deemed invalid, and accordingly, customers' purchases get canceled and the provider gets notified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Ahmed Doha
  • Publication number: 20150120419
    Abstract: A system is provided that allows a customer to receive a guaranteed sales item when a sales item is not available on-hand at a retail store location. In one implementation, a limited in-store sale of an item may be provided such that if the customer meets certain criteria associated with the sale, that the customer is guaranteed the item, even if the item is not located at the retail location. In another implementation, each customer that is located at the retail store within a certain prescribed time of the sale may be guaranteed that the item is received by certain time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Melissa A. Byland, Christine L. Andrews, Alan Gordon, Christine Yick, Shannon Gordon
  • Publication number: 20150120420
    Abstract: A capacity and demand matching system, the system in communication with a server, the system including: a controller; a computer-readable non-transitory memory including instructions, that when executed by the controller, cause the controller to: receive, from a user interface, indications of user demand; communicate the indications of user demand to the server; receive, from the server, an offer for sale; and display, via the user interface, the offer for sale; wherein the indications of user demand include an address, a selection of businesses, and a quantity demanded; the offer for sale identifies a business providing the offer, a discount, and a time period for acceptance; and the business providing the offer is selected from the selection of businesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Benjamin Richter
  • Patent number: 9002732
    Abstract: A computerized method and system for keeping popular advertisements active are provided. Example embodiments may include identifying one or more expiring online content from a plurality of online contents. A popularity of the one or more expiring online content may be determined; and an expiration date of the one or more expiring online content may be extended based on the popularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Sergey Petrov
  • Publication number: 20150081413
    Abstract: A supply and demand adjustment system capable of making supply and demand adjustment of energy while changing an incentive to consumers. The supply and demand adjustment system includes: a supply and demand adjustment device; supply and demand arbitration terminals; and a supply and demand arbitration device. The supply and demand arbitration device determines an incentive target value, makes a request to each of the consumers to reduce usage of the energy within a range of the incentive target value, summarizes a reducible energy amount responsive to this request and given from each of the consumers in replies through the supply and demand arbitration terminals, and transmits the summarized amount to the supply and demand adjustment device. The supply and demand adjustment device and the supply and demand arbitration device make the supply and demand adjustment dynamically while changing the incentive target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Okabe, Shinya Makino, Hiroshi Kashiwara
  • Publication number: 20150019315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to affinity transactions devices, systems, and methods, including a community-incentivize exchange (CIE) comprising one or more computer systems configured to permit aggregation of purchasing power of social community members along aligned interests to facilitate purchases of desired nods or POS transactions from one or more vendors willing to exchange the nods or consummate POS transactions for consideration from the members and to return compensation to the social community in exchange for incentivizing the members to effect such purchases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Swanson, Caroline Austin
  • Patent number: 8868444
    Abstract: The systems, methods, and computer program products (collectively “systems”) described herein are generally configured to monitor actions in digital channels. More specifically, the systems may be employed in digital channels to initiate purchases or facilitate rewards. The systems are capable of syncing transaction accounts with various digital channels. Moreover, the systems are capable of initiating or completing transaction based on user information. The systems may also be capable of providing rewards based on activities or accomplishments in the digital channels. Moreover, the systems may be capable of verifying activities based on transaction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Morris, Elizabeth Vakil, Anthony Winslow, David Wolf
  • Publication number: 20140278876
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing co-mailing discounts are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first number of first books associated with a first pool, the first books to be addressed for delivery within a geographic region associated with a postal discount. The example method further includes identifying a filler from a second pool to fill open pockets associated with the first pool. The filler corresponds to a first type of book associated with the second pool. The example method also includes identifying a second number of second books associated with the filler to be bundled with the first books when the first number of the first books is less than a threshold number of books for the postal discount. The first number of the first books combined with the second number of the second books is at least as great as the threshold number of books.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: Stephen Lindstrom
  • Publication number: 20140278877
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating the purchase of excess items. In one embodiment, customer information and inventory data are retrieved from a merchant client. A determination is made on whether excess items exist. A list of target purchasers is generated based on data associated with a user account, and offers are generated and sent by electronic communication to the list of target purchasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Yanacek, Gustavo Eduardo Lopez, Steven T. Rabuchin, Michael M. George, Brandon H. Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 8831983
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. Each device has an ambient temperature shelf life. Data associated with the devices is entered, including: the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the main inventory; and the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the subinventory. A first timestamp is associated with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory. The first timestamp is compared to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the device's ambient temperature shelf life is exceeded. The current quantity of devices in the subinventory is updated in response to an event that causes a change in the current quantity of devices in the subinventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Ann Tirinato, Michael P Zelin, Paul Andrew Gibson, Lyudmila Zaltsman, Graham Davis
  • Publication number: 20140222536
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving an indication that a user selected social network data that is displayed, on a client device, concurrently with offer data that indicates a coupon offer; wherein prior to receiving the indication, the user of the client device is incapable of accessing the coupon offer; in response to receiving the indication that the user selected the social network data, allowing the user to access the coupon offer, and causing a message to be sent to each user of a plurality of users that are identified, in a social network, as connected to the user, wherein the message includes data about the coupon offer or a coupon provider that initiated the coupon offer; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Coupons.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthias Eichstaedt, Deepak Goel, Sunil Keshav Bopardikar
  • Patent number: 8799095
    Abstract: A method is provided for enterprise management and bundling of inventory to maximize revenue on perishable products. An electronic data-mart collects factors for the probability and price sensitivity of a buyer. The data-mart also collects rules for inventory scaling, available inventory to sell, budget (goal) information, advertiser payment history, and station performance data to feed to a scenario planner. Once three or more variables exist, algorithms create scenario plans to present the most profitable bundle of offerings. The scenarios are typically pre-approved although presented to local business units for an abnormality failsafe. Once processed by local business units, the scenarios are presented to the buyer. Negotiations typically cause the process to restart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Clear Channel Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Ginsburg, David R. Murray, Arthur Weinberger, Jerome Williams
  • Publication number: 20140180785
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for maintaining product available on store shelves. An optical code is positioned adjacent a location where a product is located when in stock. A customer finding the product to be out of stock may scan the code and report this fact. A computer system receives the notification and may transmit a message to an employee computing device. Notice of restocking or unavailability may be transmitted from the employee computing device and subsequently reported to a customer computing device. A location of the user computing device may be reported to an employee to facilitate hand delivery of the product if available. Where inventory is not available at a store, notice of availability at a proximate store may be transmitted to the customer computing device. An incentive in the form of a promotion or points may be assigned to notifying customers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: WAL-MART STORES, INC.
    Inventors: STUART ARGUE, ANTHONY EMILE MARCAR
  • Patent number: 8762200
    Abstract: A method includes receiving data for an object at a computing device. The method includes sending a representation of the object from the computing device to a display device coupled to the computing device. The object includes a first display element in a featured position and a second display element. The method includes selecting advertising content with a processor of the computing device based on first information retrieved from the data that is associated with the first display element, based on second information retrieved from the data that is associated with the second display element, and based on a first location in the representation of the first display element relative to a second location in the representation of the second display element. The method also includes sending the advertising content from the computing device to the display device for display in an advertising window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Krantz, Lee Culver, Justin Marcucci, Susan Novell
  • Patent number: 8756100
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating the purchase of excess items. In one embodiment, customer information and inventory data are retrieved from a merchant client. A determination is made on whether excess items exist. A list of target purchasers is generated based on data associated with a user account, and offers are generated and sent by electronic communication to the list of target purchasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Yanacek, Gustavo Eduardo Lopez, Steven T. Rabuchin, Michael M. George, Brandon H. Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 8738472
    Abstract: A computerized system for vehicle management and purchase. The system may include a database including information regarding vehicles in a set of vehicles, wherein a plurality of the vehicles in the set of vehicles are in arrangements wherein third parties use the vehicles, wherein the information includes configuration of respective vehicles. The system may also include a computer interface that provides access to the description of the vehicles in the database and provides for setting price of respective vehicles; an option on the user interface to search; an option on the user interface to indicate intent to purchase a vehicle; a computer interface that receives information regarding a vehicle returned; and a computer interface to facilitate a purchase of the returned vehicle. Also described are an Internet-based system including a web server; a method for vehicle management and purchase; and a vehicle management and purchase system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Openlane, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Emerson Hallowell, Clarence Joseph Hammond
  • Patent number: 8738473
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for inventory filtering includes filtering one or more inventory items offered for sale. A primary list of the inventory items from a primary logistics information database may be obtained. A first restriction requirement based on the primary list may be generated. A second list may be generated pertaining to the inventory items and may include a list of one or more internally generated second restriction parameters different than any parameters used to establish the first restriction requirement. A second restriction requirement may be generated based on the second list. A combined restriction requirement may be generated based on any combination of the first restriction requirement and the second restriction requirement. The sale of the item may be restricted based on the combined restriction requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Liquidity Services Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Brown, Michael Cyprian Dabrowski, David M. Gibson, Henry Ralph Pulley, Patrice J. Pryor
  • Publication number: 20140143039
    Abstract: Systems, methods and media are provided for data mining information related to an out of stock product. One method includes receiving at a server from a mobile node located in a retail store customer information of a customer and product information of a product that is not found in an area of the retail store that is designated for the product and determining whether the product is out of stock at the retail store by interrogating an inventory of the product stored in a database. The customer information includes customer identification (ID) information. The method also includes informing the customer of an offer to award a purchasing bonus if it is determined that the product is out of stock, wherein the purchasing bonus is redeemable at the retail store when a future purchasing of the product is made within a specified time limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: APPSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Keith BRANTON
  • Publication number: 20140100899
    Abstract: A movie theatre shows a barcode on an electronic screen separate from the projection screen, on a side wall of the movie room. The barcode lets a patron buy tickets to movies shown in trailers on the projection screen. The patron uses a mobile device, like a cellphone, to image the barcode and decode an URL to a web page. The electronic screen also shows a table of ticket purchases, with thresholds allowing for discounted prices. The purchases are mostly from patrons in the theatre, but could also include from patrons at other theatres seeing the same trailers. This allows dynamic group purchasing of tickets in an interactive feedback loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Wesley John BOUDVILLE
  • Patent number: 8676642
    Abstract: A system and method for offering rewards. The method comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality transaction occurrences from a plurality of merchants relating to at least one account; ordering the plurality of transaction occurrences based on an ordering scheme; selecting a winning transaction from the plurality of transaction occurrences based on a reward selection scheme; and rewarding at least one reward to a user associated with the winning transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
    Inventor: William S. Sheley
  • Patent number: 8666989
    Abstract: Techniques for storing and retrieving content associated with a specific geographic location include identifying discrete regions included in a bounding region and initializing a list of discrete regions and a count of identified local content. For each identified region: determining a number of content items included in the region; updating the region list with an ID of the identified region if it contains at least one content item; and adding the determined number of content items to the count of identified local content. Deciding whether to proceed to a next identified region includes determining if unprocessed regions remain and if a predetermined content limit was reached. The next region is then processed if there is a next region and the content limit has not been reached. The regions are processed, content IDs for content items associated with processed regions are located in a content database for further selection or serving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Emil Gilliam, Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 8645204
    Abstract: A method for using promotional programs and merchant values is disclosed. In one example, the method includes receiving an authorization request message including a merchant verification value through a payment processing network, where the authorization request message is associated with a purchase by a consumer. A merchant-specific promotional program is then determined using the merchant verification value, and the merchant specific promotional program is performed. For example, the promotional program can be a sweepstakes and the task may be determining of the consumer is an instant winner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Barbara Patterson
  • Publication number: 20140006131
    Abstract: The subject disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for interacting with a home inventory system. Home inventory systems may include appliances and storages which take inventory of their contents. Home inventory systems may interact with mobile devices to alert users of necessary or desired products. Using location information, users may be alerted when their mobile device is within proximity of a necessary or desired product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicants: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC, AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark Edward Causey, Brian Kevin Daly, Qingmin Hu, Karen Mullis, Jamie Toren
  • Publication number: 20130339118
    Abstract: A central server allows a leader member to create a desired purchasing deal for a desired product or service. The leader member uses social networking applications at the central server and other means to market the desired purchasing deal to like minded consumers who join a purchasing group at the central server that follows the desired purchasing deal. The leader member also uses the central server and other means to market the desired purchasing deal to potential retailers, who register interest in the desired purchasing deal at the central server. As the size of the purchasing group increases, the leader member negotiates deeper and deeper discounts with the interested retailers until the purchasing group and a selected retailer are both satisfied with the deal. The system then facilitates the closing of the deal, which results in the consumers receiving the product or service and the retailer getting paid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: GBL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Buscemi