Patents Assigned to Ancestry.com
  • Patent number: 10318846
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Laryn Brown, Michael Murdock, Jack Reese, Shawn Reid
  • Patent number: 10296710
    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: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ancestry.com DNA, LLC
    Inventors: Mathew J. Barber, Ross E. Curtis, Catherine Ann Ball, Kenneth Gregory Chahine
  • Patent number: 10262042
    Abstract: A data record management system develops person match scores for data records that may relate to the same person or subject. In a genealogical system where the data records are represented as nodes in a family tree, and where multiple data records may relate the same person in question, the data record management system evaluates not only two data records to determine if they relate to the same person, but also individually evaluate various data records pertaining to people that are related to the person in question. Person match scores are calculated by combining sub-scores based on the comparison of corresponding nodes. Sub-scores for nodes pertaining to related people may be adjusted higher even if those notes do not match, to reflect circumstances such as remarriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Scott Slinker, Eugene Greenwood, Ian Stiles, Rey Furner
  • Patent number: 10223498
    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: May 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ANCESTRY.COM DNA, LLC
    Inventors: Eunjung Han, Ross E. Curtis, Peter Carbonetto
  • Publication number: 20180329911
    Abstract: A data record management system develops person match scores for data records that may relate to the same person or subject. In a genealogical system where the data records are represented as nodes in a family tree, and where multiple data records may relate the same person in question, the data record management system evaluates not only two data records to determine if they relate to the same person, but also individually evaluate various data records pertaining to people that are related to the person in question. Person match scores are calculated by combining sub-scores based on the comparison of corresponding nodes. Sub-scores for nodes pertaining to related people may be adjusted higher even if those notes do not match, to reflect circumstances such as remarriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Scott Slinker, Eugene Greenwood, Ian Stiles, Rey Furner
  • Patent number: 10114922
    Abstract: Identification of inheritance-by-descent haplotype matches between individuals is described. A set of tables including word match, haplotypes and segment match tables are populated. DNA samples are received and stored. A word identification module extracts haplotype values from each sample. The word match table is indexed according to the unique combination of position and haplotype. Each column represents a different sample, and each cell indicates whether that sample includes that haplotype at that position. The haplotypes table includes the raw haplotype data for each sample. The segment match table is indexed by sample identifier, and columns represent other samples. Each cell is populated to indicate for each identified sample pair which position range(s) include matching haplotypes for both samples. The tables are persistently stored in databases of the matching system. As new sample data is received, each table is updated to include the newly received samples, and additional matching takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ancestry.com DNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jake Kelly Byrnes, Aaron Ling, Keith D. Noto, Jeremy Pollack, Catherine Ann Ball, Kenneth Gregory Chahine
  • Publication number: 20180189379
    Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a cluster view person for genealogical studies. Methods may include obtaining a plurality of genealogical trees. Each of the genealogical trees may include a plurality of interconnected nodes representing individuals that are related to each other. Methods may also include identifying one or more of the genealogical trees that contain a similar individual. Whether two individuals are grouped may depend on similarity and/or quality thresholds. Methods may include creating an aggregate individual including each of the similar individuals in each of the identified genealogical trees. The aggregate individual may combine information from each of the similar individuals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Phillips
  • Publication number: 20180189287
    Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving a set of ordered items from a distributed database. A plurality of ordered items may be stored at a cache. The plurality of ordered items may have a length of N+B at a first instant in time. A first instruction to delete a first item of the plurality of ordered items may be received. A second instruction to add a second item to the plurality of ordered items may be received. The first instruction and the second instruction may be stored in a change log. A request for the first N items of the plurality of ordered items may be received. The first instruction may be executed by deleting the first item from the plurality of ordered items. The second instruction may be executed by adding the second item to the plurality of ordered items. The first N items of the plurality of ordered items may be sent in response to the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Phillips
  • Publication number: 20180182112
    Abstract: Systems and methods for registering documents. A two-dimensional document image and one or more form images may be obtained. The document image may be projected onto a horizontal axis and a vertical axis to create a horizontal document projection and a vertical document projection. The form images may be projected onto the horizontal axis and the vertical axis to create a horizontal form projection and a vertical form projection. The horizontal document projection may be correlated with the horizontal form projection of the form images and the vertical document projection may be correlated with the vertical form projection of the form images. Correlation scores may be calculated based on the correlations.
    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
  • 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
  • Patent number: D831057
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ancestry.com DNA, LLC
    Inventors: John Wayne Hill, Jory Hemmelgarn
  • Patent number: D831688
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ancestry.com DNA, LLC
    Inventors: Landon Larsen, Jory Hemmelgarn, Josh Callaway