Patents Assigned to Amazon Technologies
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Patent number: 8566356Abstract: A method and a system are provided for encoding and processing digital information. The digital information is encoded according to binary encoding formats corresponding to primitive data types. The primitive data types comprise scalar data types including Boolean, integer, float, decimal, time stamp, string, symbol, binary large object, and character large object data types. The primitive data types also comprise composite data types including structure, list, and S-expression data types. The binary-encoded digital information is stored in a message with a predetermined format for transmission. No metadata is included in the message.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Lusk, Todd V. Jonker, Chris A. Suver
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Patent number: 8566144Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for providing reviewer feedback identifying a correlation between a reviewer's past voting record and successful results. Based on a reviewer's past record, the reviewer may be assigned a power rating identifying the statistical accuracy of the reviewer's voting history. That power rating may be used to weight future votes, thereby increasing the likelihood that accurate decisions will be made.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Round, Aniruddha Gadre
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Patent number: 8560616Abstract: Technologies are described herein for managing the IP addresses of outbound e-mail messages based on sender reputation. A range of reputation scores is divided into a number of reputation segments, each covering a span of the reputation scores. The available IP addresses are distributed evenly among the reputation segments. The span of reputation scores for each of the reputation segments may be periodically adjusted based on historical data regarding a volume of e-mail messages sent by sender reputation score. In order to select a source IP address for a particular outbound e-mail message, the reputation segment encompassing a sender reputation score regarding the sender of the e-mail message is determined. An IP address is selected from the IP addresses assigned to the reputation segment and returned to be utilized as the source IP address in sending the outbound e-mail message.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Diac, Igor Spac
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Patent number: 8560646Abstract: Techniques are described for managing communications for a managed virtual computer network overlaid on a distinct substrate computer network, including for communications involving computing nodes of the managed virtual computer network that use an alternative addressing scheme to direct network packets and other network communications to intended destination locations by using textual network node monikers instead of numeric IP addresses to represent computing nodes at a layer 3 or “network layer” of a corresponding computer networking stack in use by the computing nodes. The techniques are provided without modifying or configuring the network devices of the substrate computer network, by using configured modules to manage and modify communications from the logical edge of the substrate network.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Swaminathan Sivasubramanian, Eric Jason Brandwine, Tate Andrew Certain, Bradley E. Marshall
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Patent number: 8560461Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for automatically splitting a group of items into two or more shipment sets are disclosed. A shipment splitting analyzer may be configured to determine if and how the items should be split into shipment sets dependent on the number of unique or total items, item parameters, container parameters, facility configurations, transportation constraints, and/or business policies. Items may be dequeued from the group into proposed shipment sets directed to a target container. The shipment splitting analyzer may determine which items may be shipped together dependent on a cumulative volume and/or weight of the items, a size and/or weight capacity of the target container, and/or affinity information associated with the items. Over-sized items, over-weight items, and/or large quantities of single items may be removed for exception processing prior to splitting the items into shipment sets. Shipment splitting data may be analyzed for current performance and/or operational trends.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hong Tian, Ritesh R. Garodia, Eric C. Young, Devesh Mishra
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Patent number: 8559324Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for network routing metering are disclosed. In some embodiments, various changes to the routes, and other actions requested by a computer system, physical or virtual, can be metered. Those actions may be performed and later rated in order to determine what amount, if any, to charge an account associated with the requesting network participant system. The network participant system can be billed based on the activities performed on its behalf. Therefore, even if a network is performing poorly and requires more resources that would normally be allowed by a neighboring router, if the network owner pays to have these requests performed, then the embodiments herein can allocate more resources to supporting the network's rapidly changing network.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eric Jason Brandwine, Swaminathan Sivasubramanian, Bradley E. Marshall, Tate Andrew Certain
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Patent number: 8560398Abstract: Method and systems for providing item recommendations, displays categories (or tags) of recommended items where the categories are displayed using a quantity identifier indicative of the number of recommended items in that category. When a category is selected, a slide show viewer displays a number of items from the selected category.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Andrej Gregov, Michael R. Anderson, Jeffrey D Lehman, Jeffrey I Brownell, Jeffrey Few
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Patent number: 8560545Abstract: Various computer-implemented processes are disclosed for using item clustering methods in the process of generating personalized item recommendations for users. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items, and using information about the resulting clusters to select items to use as recommendation sources. Personalized recommendations may then be generated based on the selected source items. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to rate entire clusters of items. The resulting cluster ratings may be used to select recommendation sources, and/or may otherwise be considered in generating recommendations for the user. Cluster-based processes are also disclosed for filtering and organizing the output of a recommendation engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
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Patent number: 8560699Abstract: Users intending to launch instances or otherwise access virtual resources in a multi-tenant environment can specify a launch configuration. For each type of instance or each type of user, at least one launch configuration is created that includes parameters and values to be used in instantiating an instance of that type, the values being optimized for the current environment and type of instance. Launch configurations can be optimized for different types of users, such as to account for security credentials and access levels. Such an approach enables users to launch instances by contacting the resource provider directly without need for a proxy, which can function as a choke point under heavy load. The use of an appropriate launch configuration can be enforced for any type of user at any level, such as at the sub-net level, by modifying a request that does not specify an appropriate launch configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Marvin M. Theimer, Eric Jason Brandwine, Marc J. Brooker, David Brown, Christopher Richard Jacques de Kadt
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Patent number: 8560406Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically determining estimated item dimensions may facilitate operations of a materials handling facility when exact dimensions of items are not known. Such a method may involve determining dimensions of a container, portal, or dimensionally constrained path in which an instance of a given item is handled and determining estimated dimensions of the item dependent on dimensions of the container, portal, or path. In some embodiments, the method may include determining dimensions of a second container, portal, or path in which an instance of the item is handled and updating the estimated item dimensions dependent on the dimensions of the second container, portal, or path. In some embodiments, the method may include recommending a container, portal, or path suitable for storing or transporting one or more items dependent on the estimated dimensions. In some embodiments, the estimated dimensions may facilitate identifying items in an inventory area.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Felix F. Antony
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Publication number: 20130265276Abstract: A touch controller of a computing device can adjust various modes of operation of a touch panel in order to conserve resources on the device. The touch controller can dynamically adjust a rate at which touch sensors are scanned, or can scan touch sensors for the display panel using a different mode than for a single input button or other such element. The touch controller can also operate in a low power mode while the device is in standby, and then activate a high power mode of operation upon detecting an input such as a double tap. The touch controller can also alternate between low and high power modes of operation based at least in part upon a current application executing on the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Amjad T. Obeidat, Aleksandar Pance
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Patent number: 8554758Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring and maintaining group health and membership in a searchable data service. The searchable data service may provide a searchable index to a backend data store, and an interface to build and query the searchable index, that enables client applications to search for and retrieve locators for stored entities in the backend data store. Embodiments of the searchable data service may implement a group health mechanism that may allow one or more components of the searchable data service to identify sets of nodes that the components may monitor. A group health component may be queried by the other components for automatically-refreshed health information about those nodes. The group health component may perform as a node failure detection mechanism. Node health information may be communicated among nodes at least in part using a gossip protocol.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James S. Larson, Patrick W. Ransil, Aleksey V. Martynov, James R. Collette, Robert Wai-Chi Chu, Partha Saha
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Patent number: 8551186Abstract: A user device determines that the user device has been stolen and generates an audible alert when the user device has been stolen.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: William Alexander Strand
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Patent number: 8552992Abstract: A method is disclosed for specifying textual input for a computing device using a multi-directional input device. Each character of a textual group is associated with a different angle. Each character of the textual group is displayed on a display screen at the associated angle. A swipe angle of a directional swipe received at a multi-directional pointing device is determined. The associated angle closest to the swipe angle is identified. The character of the textual group corresponding to the identified angle on the display screen is highlighted.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John T. Kim, Robert Wai-Chi Chu, Steven Ka Cheung Moy, Laurent An Minh Nguyen
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Patent number: 8554601Abstract: Techniques are described for managing various types of content in order to identify content having attributes of interest, such as based at least in part on automatically generated assessments of the reputations of authors of the content and/or of evaluators of the content. When content of sufficient interest is identified, it can then be provided to readers in various ways. In some situations, the content being evaluated and managed may include item reviews and/or how-to guides provided to a Web merchant by user authors, and in some situations may include information from blogs. Various types of awards can also be provided to authors and/or evaluators based on one or more of multiple types of reputation scores from their assessed reputations. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring it, and is submitted with the intention that it not reflect the limit of the scope of the claims.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian David Marsh, Nikolas Clemens Gloy
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Patent number: 8554694Abstract: Computer system and method for providing community-based shipping of items may provide mechanisms that allow customers of an network service to participate in a community shipping program that provides customers that are members in a community with free and/or reduced-rate shipping for at least some items ordered via the network service for delivery to a target location (e.g., receiving/distribution site) for the community. The Web site may provide user interface elements that may provide one or more shipping and possibly other options to customers that participate in a community shipping program. Community shipping programs may include commercial shipping programs and locality shipping programs. In a commercial shipping program, a primary subscriber purchases a subscription to a commercial shipping program and shares the subscription with one or more occupants of the commercial property. A locality shipping program may be provided to members of a particular geographic region or locality.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles L. Ward, Vijay Ravindran, Nanyan Nicholls, Jeffrey P. Bezos
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Patent number: 8555384Abstract: A system and method for gathering data for detecting fraudulent transactions includes, in one embodiment, a web page that contains a fraud data gathering script and causes a client device to download a fraud detection applet. The fraud data gathering script causes the client device to collect information from the client device that is usable to identify the client device. The fraud detection applet causes the client device to connect to an identification echo service server to obtain the actual IP address of the client device. The fraud detection data, including the identifying information and the actual IP address, are then sent to a web server and/or a fraud data gathering server for further processing and to determine whether a transaction with the client device is likely to be fraudulent.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Hanson, Gregory Look
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Patent number: 8555018Abstract: Techniques for providing access to data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for providing access to data involves storing data among a plurality of data stores where at least two of the data stores differ in at least one ability to perform a data operation. A mapping associates data containers with locations of corresponding data among the data stores. At least a portion of the data is redistributed among the data stores according to at least one policy that defines where among the data stores said at least a portion of the data should be stored. A request from a requestor to access particular data corresponding a data container is received and the particular data is located using the mapping. The particular data is provided to the requestor.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Vincent M. Rohr, Andrew A. Kimbrough, Chris A. Suver
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Patent number: 8554701Abstract: Technologies are described herein for classifying sentences or phrases as expressing positive or negative sentiment based on machine learning from training data comprising sentences manually labeled as to sentiment. A list of terms is generated from the manually labeled sentences and sentiment scores are determined for the terms in the list of terms based on the manually labeled sentences. A collection of sentences or phrases may then be classified as to sentiment utilizing one or more logistic regression classifiers trained on the sentiment scores determined for the terms in the list of terms. The classified collection of sentences may be further analyzed to determine an overall majority sentiment regarding a topic discussed in the sentences and/or to extract specific sentences or phrases expressing a particular sentiment for display to a customer.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Logan L. Dillard, Eric B. Fox, Russell A. Dicker
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Patent number: 8554723Abstract: A computer-implemented matching service matches users to other users, and/or to user communities, based at least in part on a computer analysis of event data reflective of user behaviors. The event data may, for example, evidence user affinities for particular items represented in an electronic catalog, such as book titles, music titles, movie titles, and/or other types of items that tend to reflect the traits of users. Event data reflective of other types of user actions, such as item-detail-page viewing events, browse node visits, search query submissions, and/or web browsing patterns may additionally or alternatively be considered. By taking such event data into consideration, the matching service reduces the burden on users to explicitly supply personal profile information, and reduces poor results caused by exaggerations and other inaccuracies in such profile information.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Joel R. Spiegel