Patents Assigned to AOL Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140380246
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing navigation control across multiple layers of content views within a mobile application. One method includes: providing a first layer of content views that are each selectable by a user for display via a graphical user interface of an application executable at a mobile device; responsive to receiving user input selecting at least one of the content views in the first layer, obtaining content views for a second layer corresponding to the content view selected in the first layer; and enabling the user to navigate between the content views in the first layer and corresponding content views in the second layer via the graphical user interface; wherein content views obtained for the second layer are automatically updated with content views corresponding to a currently selected content view in the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: AOL INC.
    Inventors: David BLUNDELL, Steffen HOFFMAN, Anil NARASIPURAM, Tessa PETRICH
  • Patent number: 8918812
    Abstract: In a method of displaying video data using an embedded media player page, frame dimensional data for a first video file is received from a database. The database includes frame dimensional data indexed therein for a plurality of video files. The plurality of video files includes the first video file, and the plurality of video files is retrievable from at least one video server through a communications network. A media player is launched within the embedded media player page. A video display area of the media player is sized based upon the received frame dimensional data. The video data from the first video file is displayed within the video display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Monte Duane Hayward
  • Publication number: 20140372226
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for online distribution of content based on a user sentiment index. The method may include receiving, over a network and from a user device, one or more user generated inputs and calculating the user sentiment index based on the one or more user generated inputs. The method may also include receiving, over the network, from a content or advertising provider, instructions on publishing content or advertising to a webpage based on the calculated user sentiment index, and publishing content for display on user devices over the network based on a comparison of the calculated user sentiment index and the received instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: John Franklin PAVLEY, Sang Chul SONG, Sean Christopher TIMM, Thu Rein KYAW, Saad MUFTI
  • Publication number: 20140363077
    Abstract: Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicants: AOL INC., WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Keren O. Perlmutter, Sharon M. Perlmutter, Eric Wang, Paul R. Klamer, Christopher J. Cookson, Massimiliano Gasparri
  • Patent number: 8910254
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing generating and managing profiles. Such systems and methods may be implemented to control access to a function of a web server or site based on a level of trust associated with a user or device profile. According to one exemplary method, session information associated with a request to access a function of a web server is identified. At least one processor determines whether the request is associated with a trusted device profile based on the at least the session information. Access to the requested function is provided when the request is associated with a trusted device profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Dorfman, Richard Rodriguez-Val
  • Patent number: 8910308
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for challenge/response animation. In one implementation, a request for protected content may be received from a client, and the protected content may comprise data. A challenge phrase comprising a plurality of characters may be determined, and a computer processor may divide the challenge phrase into at least two character subsets selected from the characters comprising the challenge phrase. Each of the at least two character subsets may include less than all of the characters comprising the challenge phrase. The at least two character subsets may be sent to the client in response to the request; and an answer to the challenge phrase may be received from the client in response to the at least two character subsets. Access to the protected content may be limited based on whether the answer correctly solves the challenge phrase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Dorfman
  • Publication number: 20140358437
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods are disclosed for providing geographical information to a user. One method includes observing, via location information generated or obtained through a user's mobile electronic device, a user traverse a preferred user route from the start location to the destination, and saving the preferred user route in relation to the user. The method may predict, based on past behavioral information for the user, a predicted start time of a future trip to the destination and may identify one or more routes from the start location to the destination. In addition, the method may compare, at a time relative to the predicted start time of the future trip, a duration or distance associated with traversing the preferred user route to a duration or distance associated with traversing the fastest route or the shortest route from the start location to the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: George FLETCHER
  • Patent number: 8903928
    Abstract: A method for organizing a message thread containing one or more messages. A root message and reply groupings are identified, each reply grouping depending from the root message. Each reply grouping has one or more child reply messages depending from a common parent message. The child reply messages within each reply grouping are ordered in chronological order based on the time of each of the one or more child reply messages was received or sent. The reply groupings are hierarchically ordering based on a relationship between the reply grouping and its parent message. A single display allows a user to view the message thread and the content of all of the messages in accordance with the hierarchical ordering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Staats
  • Patent number: 8904042
    Abstract: A host may be enabled to administer a notification system by receiving a notification instruction indicating a user has enrolled in the notification system, identifying metadata associated with the notification instruction, generating update criteria related to the notification instruction and the metadata, monitoring an online resource associated with the notification instruction, determining whether the online resource has been updated, using the update criteria to determine a predicted interest to the user, comparing the predicted interest to a threshold set with respect to the user, and generating a notification when the comparison indicates the user should receive the update.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Louis Dellecave, Jr., William Hollyer, Joel Pulliam
  • Patent number: 8898239
    Abstract: Passively populating a list of participants of an electronic communications system includes maintaining a participant list of users of an electronic communications system to be used by a user of the electronic communications system. Existing users of the electronic communications system that are known to the user are identified, and communications strengths between the user and each of the identified existing users are determined. The identified existing users with the highest communications strengths are designated for addition to the participant list. An existing group or a newly created group within the participant list to which each of the designated users should be added may be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Appelman, Edmund J. Fish
  • Publication number: 20140343980
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling users to request information or services relating to a physical facility. One method includes receiving, from a device associated with a user, one or more of: a request to receive information about an asset or component of the facility, and a request to receive maintenance of an asset or component of the facility, wherein the request includes an identifier associated with the user and an identifier associated with the asset or component of the facility; accessing, based on the request, a database storing one or more user identifiers and one or more identifiers associated with a plurality of assets or components of the facility; and transmitting, to the device associated with the user, either a presentation of information about the asset or component of the facility, or a representation of a ticket for initiating maintenance of the asset or component of the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: AOL INC.
    Inventors: Mohammed Abdul Majid, Michael Freker, Maureen Jules
  • Publication number: 20140344341
    Abstract: A web server and a shared caching server are described for serving dynamic content to users of at least two different types, where the different types of users receive different versions of the dynamic content. A version of the dynamic content includes a validation header, such as an ETag, that stores information indicative of the currency of the dynamic content and information indicative of a user type for which the version of the dynamic content is intended. In response to a user request for the dynamic content, the shared caching server sends a validation request to the web server with the validation header information. The web server determines, based on the user type of the requestor and/or on the currency of the cached dynamic content whether to instruct the shared caching server to send the cached content or to send updated content for serving to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: John Panzer, Vishwanathan Ramamurthy, Mohan Rao
  • Patent number: 8892592
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved web searching. In one implementation, suggested search queries are provided based on previous search queries and click data. A weighted bi-partite graph or index may be used to identify related search queries based on overlapping clicked URLs. According to a method, query-click log data of a search engine is processed to generate sets of suggested search queries, data corresponding to each suggested search query, and a set of clicked URLs related to each suggested search query. Additionally, or independently, methods may be provided for contextually correcting spelling errors within sets of suggested search queries using a contextual algorithm, and/or identifying and discarding sets of suggested search queries and URLs that lead to restricted material, such as restricted content and related URLs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Christopher Timm, Sudhir Achuthan
  • Patent number: 8893196
    Abstract: A media switch enables a terminal to access content by receiving a content request from a terminal for a first piece of content to be distributed over a cable system, identifying a personal channel within resources available in the cable system to distribute the first piece of content to the terminal, transmitting access information to the terminal to enable the terminal to access the first piece of content through the personal channel, and interfacing with a cable headend to provide the first piece of content on the personal channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert G. Weigand
  • Publication number: 20140330550
    Abstract: A user is enabled to interact with a virtual world environment using an instant messenger application by enabling a user to enter the virtual world environment using the instant messenger application that includes an instant messaging (IM) user interface, generating and managing an avatar to represent the user in the virtual world environment, monitoring a sub-portion of the virtual world environment corresponding to a current location of the user in the virtual world environment, determining descriptions of activities taking place in the sub-portion of the virtual world environment based on the monitoring, and providing the user with the determined descriptions of activities taking place in the sub-portion of the virtual world environment via the IM user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: AOL INC.
    Inventor: David S. BILL
  • Publication number: 20140324579
    Abstract: A method for personalizing content for a particular user in a computing system comprising a user interface configured to display content. The method comprises identifying one or more features of a short term profile of a user that are not included in a long term profile of the user, using the one or more features to identify one or more third party profiles having features that substantially match the one or more features of the user's short term profile, accessing the identified one or more third party profiles, and providing one or more content items included in the third party profile to the user, the one or more content items having associated features that match the one or more features of the short term profile. An alternative method comprises accessing one or more third party profiles that are not a profile of the user, and using the accessed third party profile to identify a plurality of content items for recommendation to the user based on a feature set of the third party profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: AOL INC.
    Inventors: Mike Macadaan, William G. Wetherell, David Liu
  • Publication number: 20140324907
    Abstract: When executed, a computer program product generates a graphical user interface that renders results that are responsive to a search query of a rich media file. The graphical user interface includes a chronological representation of the rich media file, one or more occurrence markers along the chronological representation corresponding to actual occurrences of a desired term at an indicated chronological location in the rich media file, and an execution icon configured to launch a rich media application that renders a relevant portion that is responsive to the search query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Rakesh Agrawal
  • Patent number: 8874586
    Abstract: A presentation of search results may be improved. An indication that identifies a user may be received. A search authority model may be formed to represent information related to the user. A search query may be received from a searching user. Search results may be determined based on the terms included within the search query and the search results may be ranked or grouped based on the search authority model. Additionally, or alternatively, the search query may be adjusted based on the search authority model and search results may be determined based on the adjusted search query. In either case, the search results may be made perceivable to the searching user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sommers, Harmannus Vandermolen
  • Patent number: 8862735
    Abstract: An enterprise network may be managed. A graphical user interface (GUI) that shows IP address allocations for the network and that allows a user to configure DHCP scopes and DNS zones may be provided. A new host reservation request may be received from a user. The request may be translated into a first protocol and provided to a DHCP control server for processing. Based on the processing, configurations of multiple DHCP servers may be updated, to include the new host reservation, and provided to a configuration storage system for (at least temporary) storage and access by the multiple DHCP servers. The request may be translated into a second protocol and provided to a DNS management server for processing. Based on the processing, a configuration for a DNS server may be updated, to include the new host reservation, and stored in a DNS database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Jasdip Singh, Kasper Van Benten, Markus Baur, Jeff Isaksen, Paul Roach, Christos Liacouras
  • Patent number: 8862521
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems, devices, one or more non-transitory computer-readable media and computer-executable methods for managing publication of online advertising. In exemplary embodiments, computer-based publication techniques may include, but is not limited to, automatically determining whether the content of a particular web page article is suitable or unsuitable for accompaniment with one or more advertisements, automatically determining whether an advertisement is suitable or unsuitable for publication on a web page associated with a web page article, and automatically determining a category that may be used to classify the content of a web page article in order to select one or more categories of advertisements suitable for accompaniment with the web page article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Revesz