Patents Assigned to Amazon Technologies
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Patent number: 8700991Abstract: A method and system for protecting content presented in a web browser is provided. The method may include modifying a content item to obfuscate content, and then causing obfuscation to be dynamically removed when the content item is presented in the web browser.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Samuel S. Gigliotti, Ryan J. Snodgrass, Charles P. Vaughn, Noah L. Callaway
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Patent number: 8700392Abstract: A user can provide input to a computing device through various combinations of speech, movement, and/or gestures. A computing device can analyze captured audio data and analyze that data to determine any speech information in the audio data. The computing device can simultaneously capture image or video information which can be used to assist in analyzing the audio information. For example, image information is utilized by the device to determine when someone is speaking, and the movement of the person's lips can be analyzed to assist in determining the words that were spoken. Any gestures or other motions can assist in the determination as well. By combining various types of data to determine user input, the accuracy of a process such as speech recognition can be improved, and the need for lengthy application training processes can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory M. Hart, Ian W. Freed, Gregg Elliott Zehr, Jeffrey P. Bezos
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Patent number: 8700945Abstract: Embodiments may include a delivery mechanism failover. In one embodiment, a first portion of content and a first direction may be provided in response to a request for the content. The first direction may indicate a delivery mechanism from which to retrieve a second portion of the content. An indication of a failed delivery of the second portion of the content from the delivery mechanism may be received. In some embodiments, the indication of the failed delivery may be stored. Based on the received indication of the failed delivery, the first portion and a second direction may be provided in response to another request for the content, with the second direction indicating that the second portion is to be retrieved from another delivery mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Allen, Matthew J. Morrisson
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Patent number: 8700005Abstract: An item-providing system supplies items to a user device for consumption at the user device via communication infrastructure. The device may correspond to a book reader device or other type of device. In one illustrative case, the item-providing system may send a notification message to the user device to notify the user device to wake up and perform one or more actions. The item-providing system may provide scheduling functionality for determining the timing at which to send the notification message.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth P. Kiraly, Thomas A. Ryan, Gregg Elliott Zehr, John Lattyak, Michael V. Rykov, Girish Bansilal Bajaj, James C. Slezak, Aviram Zagorie, Richard Moore, Kevin R. Cheung, Thomas M. J. Fruchterman, Robert L. Goodwin
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Patent number: 8700384Abstract: A method for displaying a combination of languages for digital content in an electronic device is described. First digital content comprising a plurality of words in a primary language is received. Second digital content comprising a plurality of words in a secondary language is received. A combination of the primary language and the secondary language is determined. The combination of the primary language and the secondary language is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John Lattyak
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Patent number: 8701109Abstract: Technologies are described herein for ensuring data in long-term storage will be accessible at a future date. Upon storing the data in long-term storage, a well-defined instance of data processing resources is created on a host computing platform for the installation and testing of a related application that is capable of accessing the stored data. Once testing of the related application is complete, a machine image is generated from the instance and stored with the data in the long-term storage. If access to the data stored in the long-term storage is required at a future date, the data and associated machine image may be retrieved, and a compatible instance of data processing resources created in which the machine image may be restored. The data in the long-term storage may then be accessed by the related applications executing in the newly created instance.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Colin L. Lazier
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Patent number: 8698764Abstract: A back touch sensor positioned on a back surface of a device accepts user input in the form of touches. The touches on the back touch sensor map keys on a virtual keyboard, a pointer input, and so forth. Touches on a touch sensor positioned on a front surface provide additional input while also allowing the user to grasp and hold the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Karakotsios, Bradley J. Bozarth, Hannah Rebecca Lewbel
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Patent number: 8698765Abstract: Techniques for associating concepts found within content items rendered by electronic devices. By associating concepts in this manner, a user of an electronic device is able to view how these concepts interrelate with one another across various content items stored on or accessible by the electronic device. For instance, a user may associate a first concept with a second concept in an index of the electronic device. Thereafter, the user may conduct a search for the first concept and, in response, the electronic device may reference the index and determine that this first concept is in fact associated with the second concept. As such, the electronic device may return results that include both the first and second concepts, possibly within a certain specified distance of one another within a content item. The user is therefore able to see how the first concept and the second concept interrelate with one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
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Patent number: 8700490Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting a user interface that shows a consolidated representation for an item available from multiple sources are described. The multiple offerings of the same items offered for sale by multiple sellers are combined into a simple user interface that is transparent to the consumer, but where the consumer can find an item and all of its attributes as though it was offered for sale by a single seller. The user interface can be created when a consumer selects an item, a list is generated of the sellers offering that item for sale, a list is generated of the various attributes of the item, a representation for each attribute is gathered, and an optimal representation for each attribute can be generated for display to the consumer when that attributed is selected by the consumer. The process for creating and modifying such a user interface can be automated or semi-automated, decreasing the manual intervention needed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Abhoy Bhaktwatsalam, Jonathan J. McGee, Bobby P. Nath, David M. Brown
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Publication number: 20140100998Abstract: A system includes an inventory pier, a mobile drive unit, and a management module. The inventory pier includes a defined area arranged to station an inventory holder. The inventory holder stores an inventory item. The mobile drive unit is operable to transport an order holder. The management module is operable to calculate a metric associated with demand for the inventory item. Based at least in part upon the metric, the management module is operable to select, from a plurality of inventory holders, the inventory holder storing the inventory item to be stationed at the defined area of the inventory pier. The management module is further operable to receive an order for the inventory item and instruct the mobile drive unit to transport the order holder to the inventory pier. The order holder is operable to receive the inventory item from the inventory holder proximate to the defined area.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140100769Abstract: A system includes storage shelves and display shelves at a retail facility. The system also includes a management module operable to determine to replenish a display shelf with an inventory item stored by a storage shelf. The management module is also operable to coordinate movement of mobile drive units to replenish the display shelf with the inventory item at an inventory restocking station. The system also includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The first mobile drive unit is operable to receive first instructions from the management module to transport the display shelf to the inventory restocking station. The second mobile drive unit is operable to receive second instructions from the management module to transport the storage shelf to the inventory restocking station. At the inventory restocking station, the display shelf receives the inventory item.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140101745Abstract: Techniques are described for providing customizable sign-on functionality, such as via an access manager system that provides single sign-on functionality and other functionality to other services for use with those services' users. The access manager system may maintain various sign-on and other account information for various users, and provide single sign-on functionality for those users using that maintained information on behalf of multiple unrelated services with which those users interact. The access manager may allow a variety of types of customizations to single sign-on functionality and/or other functionality available from the access manager, such as on a per-service basis via configuration by an operator of the service, such as co-branding customizations, customizations of information to be gathered from users, customizations of authority that may be delegated to other services to act on behalf of users, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Peter Sirota
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Publication number: 20140100690Abstract: A method for transporting inventory items includes moving a mobile drive unit to a first point within a workspace. The first point is a location of an inventory holder. The method further includes docking the mobile drive unit with the inventory holder and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to a second point within the workspace. The second point is associated with conveyance equipment. The method further includes moving the inventory holder to a third point within the workspace using the conveyance equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Wurman, Raffaello D'Andrea, Michael T. Barbehenn, Andrew Edward Hoffman, Michael Cordell Mountz
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Publication number: 20140100715Abstract: A system includes a inventory pier and a mobile drive unit. The inventory pier includes a first side and a second side. The first side includes defined areas at which inventory holders are designated to be stationed. The inventory pier is operable to receive inventory items from at least one of the inventory holders at least one of the defined areas. The mobile drive unit is operable to transport an order holder along the second side of the inventory pier, wherein the order holder is operable to receive an inventory item from the inventory pier at a location along the second side of the inventory pier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140100999Abstract: A method for fulfilling orders at an inventory pier includes receiving orders. The orders are examined to identify an inventory item stored by an inventory holder stationed at an inventory pier. A first order is grouped with a second order based at least in part upon determining that the first order and the second order include requests for the inventory item. A first container associated with the first order and a second container associated with the second order are arranged on an order holder at an induction station. The first container and the second container are operable to receive the inventory item. The mobile drive unit is instructed to transport the order holder from the induction station to the inventory pier. The order holder receives the inventory item from the inventory pier at a location opposite to the inventory holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Mountz, Peter R. Wurman, Steven A. Wilson, Caroline F. Mallary, Zhouzhou Peng, Joseph W. Durham
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Patent number: 8694529Abstract: A collection of items may be categorized according to a category hierarchy. A search of the items may be explicitly associated with a particular category in the hierarchy or else unassociated. A set of refinements may be available, for example, to help narrow the search. Refinements may be applicable to items in linked categories. Refinements may be surfaced based at least in part on linked categories associated with the search. Refinements may be surfaced when the search is unassociated with a particular category. For example, a possibly relevant set of categories may be determined. Refinements may be surfaced according to a variety of ordering criteria.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Blair L. Hotchkies, Daniel R. Parshall, Jason P. Patrikios, Brent Robert Mills, Dan Catalin Teodorescu, Jennica Jane Pounds, Paul Daniel Jaye, David Aaron Lichterman
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Patent number: 8694479Abstract: An electronic marketplace for used digital objects is disclosed. Digital objects including e-books, audio, video, computer applications, etc., may be placed in a personalized data store upon purchase from a merchant. Placement may be manual or occur automatically. A server prompt or downloader application may be used to set preferences for manual or automatic placement. Placement may be direct or indirect. Direct placement occurs upon placement of the digital object in the personalized data store directly by the merchant. Indirect placement occurs upon transfer of the digital object to an intermediate storage location, such as the user's electronic device, then placing the digital object in the personalized data store. The user, via streaming, download, or other transfer, may then access content placed in the personalized data store.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Samuel Heyworth, Erich Ringewald, Peter V. Commons
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Patent number: 8693726Abstract: A user can be identified and/or authenticated to an electronic device by analyzing aspects of a motion or gesture made by that user. At least one imaging element of the device can capture image information including the motion or gesture, and can determine time-dependent information about that motion or gesture in two or three dimensions of space. The time-dependent information can be used to identify varying speeds, motions, and other such aspects that are indicative of a particular user. The way in which a gesture or motion is made, in addition to the motion or gesture itself, can be used to authenticate an individual user. While other persons can learn the basic gesture or motion, the way in which each person makes that gesture or motion will generally be at least slightly different, which can be used to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, protected functionality, or other such content.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Karakotsios, Volodymyr V. Ivanchenko
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Patent number: 8694522Abstract: Context data can be used to determine the current context and/or to predict the future context of a user. When the disclosed technology knows of the user's likely context, it can prepare for object recognition (e.g., image recognition, speech recognition, etc.) by (downloading and) locally storing (i.e., holding) object data related to the context. This allows for the object recognition to be performed locally and for any additional information about the object to be provided without communication over a network, thereby reducing resources such as time, cost, and processing power. If, however, the object data related to the context is not available locally, such object data can still be downloaded from a server/cloud. In some embodiments, if a likely future context is predicted and the object data related to that future context is not available locally, the object data can be downloaded from a server/cloud prior to the future context.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Aleksander Pance
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Patent number: 8694639Abstract: Resource management techniques for shared resources in a distributed system are described. Clients and servers may exchange messages according to an asynchronous messaging protocol that does not guarantee delivery or ordering of messages. A client may send a resource request message including a client timestamp and a measure of client resource demand. The server may allocate a grant of the resource to the client in a manner that prevents resource overload, and indicate the grant to the client via a message including a logical timestamp, the amount of resource granted, the client's original timestamp, and a grant expiration time. The server may acknowledge the grant and cooperatively use the resource in accordance with the grant's terms.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Allan H. Vermeulen, Timothy Andrew Rath