Patents Assigned to Ancestry.com
  • Publication number: 20180181843
    Abstract: Systems and methods for classifying historical images. A feature extractor may create feature vectors corresponding to a plurality of images. A first classification of the plurality of images may be performed based on the plurality of feature vectors, which may include assigning a label to each of the plurality of images and assigning a probability for each of the assigned labels. The assigned probability for each of the assigned labels may be related to a statistical confidence that a particular assigned label is correctly assigned to a particular image. A subset of the plurality of images may be displayed to a display device. An input corresponding to replacement of an incorrect label with a corrected label for a certain image may be received from a user. A second classification of the plurality of images based on the input from the user may be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Laryn Brown, Michael Murdock, Jack Reese, Shawn Reid
  • Patent number: 9959013
    Abstract: A tree building system that accesses data from a social networking site and, in some embodiments, other data sites having information that may pertain to the relationships between users of the social networking site. A rules engine within the system implements logic for analyzing the data from the social networking site. The system provides a candidate list of possible relatives for selection by a user and solicits information from the user through the use of guided questions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Kendall Hulet, Christopher D. Bradford, Joshua Penrod
  • Patent number: 9940433
    Abstract: Described are techniques for determining population structure from identity-by-descent (IBD) of individuals. The techniques may be used to predict that an individual belongs to zero, one or more of a number of communities identified within an IBD network. Additional data may be used to annotate the communities with birth location, surname, and ethnicity information. In turn, these data may be used to provide to an individual a prediction of membership to zero, one or more communities, accompanied by a summary of the information annotated to those communities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ANCESTRY.COM DNA, LLC
    Inventors: Eunjung Han, Ross E. Curtis, Peter Carbonetto
  • Patent number: 9792520
    Abstract: A handwriting recognition system converts word images on documents, such as document images of historical records, into computer searchable text. Word images (snippets) on the document are located, and have multiple word features identified. For each word image, a word feature vector is created representing multiple word features. Based on the similarity of word features (e.g., the distance between feature vectors), similar words are grouped together in clusters, and a centroid that has features most representative of words in the cluster is selected. A digitized text word is selected for each cluster based on review of a centroid in the cluster, and is assigned to all words in that cluster and is used as computer searchable text for those word images where they appear in documents. An analyst may review clusters to permit refinement of the parameters used for grouping words in clusters, including the adjustment of weights and other factors used for determining the distance between feature vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Reese, Michael Murdock, Shawn Reid, Laryn Brown
  • Publication number: 20170277827
    Abstract: Described are computational methods to reconstruct the chromosomes (and genomes) of ancestors given genetic data, IBD information, and full or partial pedigree information of some number of their descendants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: ANCESTRY.COM DNA, LLC
    Inventors: Julie M. GRANKA, Keith D. NOTO
  • Patent number: 9767353
    Abstract: A handwriting recognition system converts word images on documents, such as document images of historical records, into computer searchable text. Word images (snippets) on the document are located, and have multiple word features identified. For each word image, a word feature vector is created representing multiple word features. Based on the similarity of word features (e.g., the distance between feature vectors), similar words are grouped together in clusters, and a centroid that has features most representative of words in the cluster is selected. A digitized text word is selected for each cluster based on review of a centroid in the cluster, and is assigned to all words in that cluster and is used as computer searchable text for those word images where they appear in documents. An analyst may review clusters to permit refinement of the parameters used for grouping words in clusters, including the adjustment of weights and other factors used for determining the distance between feature vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Reese, Michael Murdock, Shawn Reid, Laryn Brown
  • Patent number: 9747345
    Abstract: A graph database system is used to determine relationships between persons. The graph database system manages relationship data records having a compact data structure stored at a relationship database and accessed to find links or common relationships. For determining relationships between two people, the relationship records in the relationship paths for those two people are alternatively accessed and compared it to each other. Relationship records may include an identifier for a person having a relationship to a given individual, a relationship type, and a weight reflecting the confidence level or quality of the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler S. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9740928
    Abstract: A handwriting recognition system converts word images on documents, such as document images of historical records, into computer searchable text. Word images (snippets) on the document are located, and have multiple word features identified. For each word image, a word feature vector is created representing multiple word features. Based on the similarity of word features (e.g., the distance between feature vectors), similar words are grouped together in clusters, and a centroid that has features most representative of words in the cluster is selected. A digitized text word is selected for each cluster based on review of a centroid in the cluster, and is assigned to all words in that cluster and is used as computer searchable text for those word images where they appear in documents. An analyst may review clusters to permit refinement of the parameters used for grouping words in clusters, including the adjustment of weights and other factors used for determining the distance between feature vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Reese, Michael Murdock, Shawn Reid, Laryn Brown
  • Patent number: 9732376
    Abstract: A sample collection device having a sample tube, funnel, and cap having a capsule and a piercing insert, the capsule having a stabilization solution. After depositing the sample into the tube via the funnel, the cap is screwed onto the tube, piercing the capsule and releasing the stabilization fluid into the tube. The device can be used at home without clinicial supervision for collecting a saliva sample and transporting the sample to an analysis location for DNA analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ANCESTRY.COM DNA, LLC.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Oyler, Kenneth G. Chahine, Catherine Ann Ball, Federico C. A. Gaeta
  • Publication number: 20170193323
    Abstract: A handwriting recognition system converts word images on documents, such as document images of historical records, into computer searchable text. Word images (snippets) on the document are located, and have multiple word features identified. For each word image, a word feature vector is created representing multiple word features. Based on the similarity of word features (e.g., the distance between feature vectors), similar words are grouped together in clusters, and a centroid that has features most representative of words in the cluster is selected. A digitized text word is selected for each cluster based on review of a centroid in the cluster, and is assigned to all words in that cluster and is used as computer searchable text for those word images where they appear in documents. An analyst may review clusters to permit refinement of the parameters used for grouping words in clusters, including the adjustment of weights and other factors used for determining the distance between feature vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Reese, Michael Murdock, Shawn Reid, Laryn Brown
  • Patent number: 9665257
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Scott Slinker
  • Patent number: 9619702
    Abstract: A handwriting recognition system converts word images on documents, such as document images of historical records, into computer searchable text. Word images (snippets) on the document are located, and have multiple word features identified. For each word image, a word feature vector is created representing multiple word features. Based on the similarity of word features (e.g., the distance between feature vectors), similar words are grouped together in clusters, and a centroid that has features most representative of words in the cluster is selected. A digitized text word is selected for each cluster based on review of a centroid in the cluster, and is assigned to all words in that cluster and is used as computer searchable text for those word images where they appear in documents. An analyst may review clusters to permit refinement of the parameters used for grouping words in clusters, including the adjustment of weights and other factors used for determining the distance between feature vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Reese, Michael Murdock, Shawn Reid, Laryn Brown
  • Patent number: 9620079
    Abstract: A method of creating a blending mode for blending base colors and blend colors to produce resultant colors for one or more pixels of a digital image includes displaying by a display device a relationship between a first independent variable representing the base colors and a dependent variable representing the resultant colors for a specific value of a second independent variable representing blend colors. The method also includes receiving user input altering the relationship, displaying the altered relationship, and storing the relationship as a blending mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Donald B. Curtis
  • Patent number: 9454545
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of linking a document image with indexed data is provided. The method may be performed by providing a document image, which is a digitized document having various information. Indexed data is also provided, which is a record that includes information extracted from the document image or a different document image. The process is further performed by identifying a feature of the indexed data and analyzing the document image to determine whether the feature is present within the information of the digitized document. The feature may be information or a characteristic defined by the information extracted from the document image or the different document image. If the feature is present within the information of the digitized document, a determination is made that the indexed data corresponds with the document image and the indexed data is linked with the document image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Reese, Shawn Reid, Laryn Brown, Randy Hansen, Mark Oswald
  • Publication number: 20160216857
    Abstract: A tree building system that accesses data from a social networking site and, in some embodiments, other data sites having information that may pertain to the relationships between users of the social networking site. A rules engine within the system implements logic for analyzing the data from the social networking site. The system provides a candidate list of possible relatives for selection by a user and solicits information from the user through the use of guided questions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Kendall Hulet, Christopher D. Bradford, Joshua Penrod
  • Patent number: 9400942
    Abstract: Undated photos are organized by estimating the date of each photo. The date is estimated by building a model based on a set of reference photos having established dates, and comparing image characteristics of the undated photo to the image characteristics of the reference photos. The photo characteristics can include hues, saturation, intensity, contrast, sharpness and graininess as represented by image pixel data. Once the date of a photo is estimated, it can be tagged with identifying information, such as by using the estimated date to associate the photo with a node in a family tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brookhart, Jack Reese
  • Patent number: 9390225
    Abstract: Described embodiments enable identification of family networks using combinations of DNA analysis and genealogical information. Genealogical data is provided by users of a genealogical research service or collected from other sources and used to create family trees for each user. DNA samples are also received from the users. By analyzing the DNA samples, potential genetic relationships can be identified between some users. Once these DNA-suggested relationships have been identified, common ancestors can be sought in the respective trees of the potentially related users. Where these common ancestors exist, an inference is drawn that the DNA-suggested relationship accurately represents a familial overlap between the individuals in question. People descended from the same common ancestor are each members of a family network. Members of a family network not in a user's tree may be identified for the user, enabling the user to discover additional ancestors that might otherwise have remained unknown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ancestry.com DNA, LLC
    Inventors: Mathew J. Barber, Ross E. Curtis, Catherine Ann Ball, Kenneth Gregory Chahine
  • Publication number: 20160132751
    Abstract: Undated photos are organized by estimating the date of each photo. The date is estimated by building a model based on a set of reference photos having established dates, and comparing image characteristics of the undated photo to the image characteristics of the reference photos. The photo characteristics can include hues, saturation, intensity, contrast, sharpness and graininess as represented by image pixel data. Once the date of a photo is estimated, it can be tagged with identifying information, such as by using the estimated date to associate the photo with a node in a family tree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brookhart, Jack Reese
  • Patent number: 9330418
    Abstract: A tree building system that accesses data from a social networking site and, in some embodiments, other data sites having information that may pertain to the relationships between users of the social networking site. A rules engine within the system implements logic for analyzing the data from the social networking site. The system provides a candidate list of possible relatives for selection by a user and solicits information from the user through the use of guided questions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Kendall Hulet, Christopher D. Bradford, Joshua Penrod
  • Publication number: 20160063355
    Abstract: A handwriting recognition system converts word images on documents, such as document images of historical records, into computer searchable text. Word images (snippets) on the document are located, and have multiple word features identified. For each word image, a word feature vector is created representing multiple word features. Based on the similarity of word features (e.g., the distance between feature vectors), similar words are grouped together in clusters, and a centroid that has features most representative of words in the cluster is selected. A digitized text word is selected for each cluster based on review of a centroid in the cluster, and is assigned to all words in that cluster and is used as computer searchable text for those word images where they appear in documents. An analyst may review clusters to permit refinement of the parameters used for grouping words in clusters, including the adjustment of weights and other factors used for determining the distance between feature vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Reese, Michael Murdock, Shawn Reid, Laryn Brown