Patents Assigned to Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
  • Patent number: 8224821
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and systems for building representations of related subjects. The representations may include a plurality of nodes, each being associated with a subject. Users may be able to access records and/or source documents related to a plurality of subjects and add or modify node characteristics based thereon. Users may be able to perform an interaction and/or modification related to a record page. Other users (e.g., users connected to the record page) may be notified of such interaction and/or modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: David Graham, Mark Allen, Mike Smeltzer, Barry Watts, Preston Thayne, Doug Reid, Grant (Greg) Parkinson
  • Publication number: 20120131061
    Abstract: A method of creating a family tree includes receiving a request from a user to return a file that includes the family tree and using a plurality of primary source records to construct the family tree based on the request. The records indicate multiple alternatives for at least one branch of the family tree. The method also includes sending a file that includes the family tree to the user. The file includes the alternatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett Cookson, JR., Ken Boyer, James Mark Hamilton, Kendall J. Jefferson, Daren Thayne, Michael J. Wolfgramm
  • Patent number: 8185557
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for implementing a method for positioning a non-constrained amount of data in semblance of a tree. The method includes receiving genealogical data including nodes and generating a directed graph of the nodes of the genealogical data. The directed graph is to maintain parent-child relationships among the nodes and to maintain generations. The genealogical data includes a root node. The method includes moving the nodes along the horizontal axis such that each node is in an equal spacing with respect to each node's parent node, determining a number of generations in the genealogical chart, and generating a number of quadratic curves equal to the number of generations. The apex of the quadratic curves is the position of the tree's trunk. The method includes dropping the nodes in the Y-axis along the curve of the quadratic curves. Each generation is in line with the quadratic curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Scott Slinker
  • Patent number: 8140512
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for consolidating information retrieval results. According to some embodiments of the invention, a computer system can be used to retrieve and rank results in a first result set, in response to a query. The computer system can then perform a more in-depth comparison of the results with the query to determine a more complete correlation of the data in a result with the terms in the query. Each result can then be scored according to its correlation with the search query, and results that do not meet minimum threshold score can be dropped, the remaining results comprising a second result set. Results in the second result set can then be compared with each other to determine whether they contain information regarding a single object or entity, in which case the records are consolidated and redundant data is removed. The computer system can then present the consolidated result on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ancestry.Com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Samuel Jensen
  • Patent number: 8073285
    Abstract: An image editing user interface includes a first control adapted to alter an image property of an image in response to a user input and a second control adapted to operate in cooperation with the first control to alter the image property in response to a user input. The image property is brightness and the first control alters brightness over a range of image values between two endpoints and the second control defines at least one of the endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Donald B. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20110252028
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for consolidating information retrieval results. According to some embodiments of the invention, a computer system can be used to retrieve and rank results in a first result set, in response to a query. The computer system can then perform a more in-depth comparison of the results with the query to determine a more complete correlation of the data in a result with the terms in the query. Each result can then be scored according to its correlation with the search query, and results that do not meet minimum threshold score can be dropped, the remaining results comprising a second result set. Results in the second result set can then be compared with each other to determine whether they contain information regarding a single object or entity, in which case the records are consolidated and redundant data is removed. The computer system can then present the consolidated result on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Samuel Jensen
  • Patent number: 8019719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for partitioning information across multiple storage devices in a web server environment. The system comprises a web server database which includes information related creating a web site. The information is divided into partitions within the database. One of the partitions includes user information and another of the partitions includes content for the web site. Portions of the content for the web site is replicated and maintained within the partition including the user information. Further, a portion of the user information is replicated and maintained in the partition where the content for the web site is maintained. The methods include dividing information into partitions, de-normalizing the received data and replicating the data portions into the various web site locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Hardman, James Ivie, Michael Mansfield, Greg Parkinson, Daren Thayne, Mark Wolfgramm, Michael Wolfgramm, Brandt Redd
  • Publication number: 20110184992
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for implementing a method for positioning a non-constrained amount of data in semblance of a tree. The method includes receiving genealogical data including nodes and generating a directed graph of the nodes of the genealogical data. The directed graph is to maintain parent-child relationships among the nodes and to maintain generations. The genealogical data includes a root node. The method includes moving the nodes along the horizontal axis such that each node is in an equal spacing with respect to each node's parent node, determining a number of generations in the genealogical chart, and generating a number of quadratic curves equal to the number of generations. The apex of the quadratic curves is the position of the tree's trunk. The method includes dropping the nodes in the Y-axis along the curve of the quadratic curves. Each generation is in line with the quadratic curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Scott Slinker
  • Publication number: 20110161805
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for implementing interactive modification of spacing constraints of genealogical charts. The method includes displaying, on a display device of a computer system, a user interface for displaying one or more genealogical charts including one or more nodes. The user interface includes a horizontal slider and a vertical slider for manipulating the one or more geological charts' size. The one or more geological charts include page breaks representing a number of pages. The method further includes receiving, from an input device of the computer system, manipulation input for one or more of the vertical slider or the horizontal slider. Then, in response to receiving the manipulation input, providing real-time graphical feedback representing the manipulation in the display of the one or more genealogical charts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Scott Slinker
  • Patent number: 7945116
    Abstract: Methods and systems for cropping images of book pages are disclosed according to one embodiment of the invention. A method may include identifying reference images and receiving cropping rectangles for the reference images. These cropping rectangles associated with reference images may then be used to generate cropping rectangles for images of book pages between the reference images. The cropping rectangles may be generated based on a linear interpolation of the cropping rectangles associated with the reference images and the number of pages between images. The method may also display one or more images of book pages with the associated one or more cropping rectangles superimposed thereon. A user may then have the opportunity to make adjustments to the position and/or size of the cropping rectangles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Donald B. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20110096983
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for transcribing text from artifacts to electronic files. A computer system is provided, wherein the computer system comprises a computer-readable storage device. An image of the artifact is received wherein text is present on the artifact. A first portion of the text is analyzed. Characters representing the first portion of the text are identified at a first confidence level equal to or greater than a threshold confidence level. The characters representing the first portion of the text are stored. A second portion of the text appearing on the artifact is analyzed. A plurality of candidates to represent the second portion of the text are identified at a second confidence level below the threshold confidence level. Finally, the plurality of candidates to a user for selection are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Samuel Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110099193
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and techniques are described for correcting pedigree information. A new pedigree record of a person may be received at a computer system. A stored pedigree record of a person may be selected if it is determined that the second person is likely to be the first person at some confidence level at or above a threshold confidence level. A comparison of data elements of the new pedigree record with data elements of the stored pedigree record may be conducted. A first data element of the new pedigree and a second data element of the stored pedigree that are not equivalent may be identified. An analysis as to which data element is more likely to be correct may be conducted. The incorrect data element may then be corrected with the correct data element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Samuel Jensen
  • Patent number: 7908315
    Abstract: A method of downloading software to a user computer via a network includes, at a host computer system, receiving a request to download software to the user computer, storing at the host computer system identification information relating to the user computer, sending a download executable to the user computer, receiving status information from the download executable at the host computer system, and using the identification information to send the status information from the host computer system to the user computer for display on the user computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Parkinson
  • Publication number: 20110029543
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and systems for building representations of related subjects. User instructions may be received via a computer system that relate identifying information relating to a subject (e.g., an individual, group and/or event) to a node being associated therewith. Nodes in different accounts may be compared and matched based on identifying information associated with the nodes. Characteristics of one of the matched nodes may be added or modified based on characteristics of another of the matched nodes. A user may be notified of a potential match, a match, and/or node characteristics additions and/or modifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operation Inc.
    Inventors: David Graham, Mark Allen, Mike Smeltzer, Barry Watts, Preston Thayne, Doug Reid, Grant (Greg) Parkinson
  • Publication number: 20110029564
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and systems for building representations of related subjects. The representations may include a plurality of nodes, each being associated with a subject. Users may be able to access records and/or source documents related to a plurality of subjects and add or modify node characteristics based thereon. Users may be able to perform an interaction and/or modification related to a record page. Other users (e.g., users connected to the record page) may be notified of such interaction and/or modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: David Graham, Mark Allen, Mike Smeltzer, Barry Watts, Preston Thayne, Doug Reid, Grant Greg Parkinson
  • Publication number: 20110029521
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and systems for building representations of related subjects. The representations may include a plurality of nodes, each being associated with a subject. Users may be able to access records and/or source documents related to a plurality of subjects and add or modify node characteristics based thereon. Users may interact with (e.g., by adding to or modifying) documents, files, and/or records and may also make other changes or additions to nodes in the system. A process may then identify what other users may be interested in such interaction and why. For example, a score may be associated with the interaction and other users based on factors such as whether the users have linked to the document, file or record and/or the node the interaction may apply to. Interacting users, identified users, and interaction details may be stored in a database. Identified users may be notified of the interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Preston Thayne, Mike Smeltzer, Barry Watts, Tobin Fullmer, Danny Darais, David Graham, Scott Echols
  • Patent number: 7870139
    Abstract: A method of consolidating genealogy records includes partitioning the records using at least one index file to form one or more partitions, sorting the records in a partition based on a data element in the records, comparing records within a sort range, based on the comparison, identifying same person records, consolidating information in the same person records, receiving a request from a user to view at least a portion of the consolidated information for a particular group of same person records, and sending a file that includes the portion to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett Cookson, Jr., Ken Boyer, Jerry Collings, James Mark Hamilton, Kendall J. Jefferson, Grant Parkinson, Douglas T. Reid, Daren Thayne, Michael J. Wolfgramm
  • Patent number: 7756289
    Abstract: A method of determining a location for a watermark on an image having an array of pixels, each pixel having image information associated therewith includes determining a size for the watermark. The size has a pixel height and a pixel width. The method also includes calculating a region brightness value for each of a plurality of regions of the image. Each of the plurality of regions has a pixel height and a pixel width equal to the pixel height and the pixel width of the watermark. Each of the plurality of regions includes a plurality of pixels and the brightness value is representative of the image information associated with the plurality of pixels comprised by the region. The method also includes selecting one of the plurality of regions as the location for the watermark. The selection is based, at least in part, on the brightness value for the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Donald B. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7734092
    Abstract: A method of processing an image includes receiving a digital version of the image, processing the digital version of the image through at least two binarization processes to thereby create a first binarization and a second binarization, and processing the first binarization through a first optical character recognition process to thereby create a first OCR output file. Processing the first binarization through a first optical character recognition process includes compiling first metrics associated with the first OCR output file. The method also includes processing the second binarization through the first optical character recognition process to thereby create a second OCR output file. Processing the second binarization through the first optical character recognition process includes compiling second metrics associated with the second OCR output file. The method also includes using the metrics, at least in part, to select a final OCR output file from among the OCR output files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Donald B. Curtis, Shawn Reid
  • Patent number: 7724981
    Abstract: A method of operating on an image of a document includes, for an electronic file that includes a representation of the document, portioning the representation of the document into non-overlapping areas. Each area includes a matrix of pixels and each pixel has an initial grayscale value and a position in the matrix. The method also includes, for each area, determining a black point value and a white point value. The method further includes, for each pixel in each area, determining a revised pixel grayscale value for the pixel using the pixel's grayscale value, the pixel's position in the matrix, the black point value for the area comprising the pixel, the white point value for the area comprising the pixel, the black point value for at least one area adjacent to the area comprising the pixel, and/or the white point value for at least one area adjacent to the area comprising the pixel. The method also includes producing the image of the document using the revised grayscale values for each pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Donald B. Curtis