Patents Assigned to AOL Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140304790
    Abstract: Digital content distribution systems and methods are provided for distributing for digital data files, such as digital audio and video data files. In accordance with one implementation, a token-based authentication system is provided that does not require knowledge of the individual user requesting the download of digital content data or real-time access to user account information. Instead, the token-based authentication system embeds the authentication information, or token, in the download request information itself. In this way, the download or content server authenticates the download request using the token contained in the download request information and therefore does not require any additional information to carry out this authentication, such as access to user account information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: AOL, Inc.
    Inventors: Depeng BI, Stephen Christopher GLADWIN, Troy Steven DENKINGER, Timothy Scott FRANKLIN, Bart Richard CILFONE, Anne Marie WALSH, Jeffrey Jonathan SPURGAT
  • Patent number: 8855287
    Abstract: Providing alerts to a user that is participating in a telephone call includes operating a telephone call between a first user and a second user. The telephone call uses a voice path, a first signaling path, and a second signaling. An indication of an alert to be presented to the first user is received. The alert is configured for presentation to the first user on a telephone used by the first user. Control signals are sent from the telephony services provider to the first telephony proxy server over the first signaling path. The control signals are configured to cause the alert to be presented audibly to the first user on the telephone used by the first user such that (i) the first user hears the alert, (ii) the second user does not hear the alert, and (iii) the alert does not obscure other content of the telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Bates
  • Patent number: 8850046
    Abstract: To secure an access provider, communications to/from the access provider are monitored for a partially-completed connection transaction. Detected partially-completed connection transactions are terminated when they remain in existence for a period of time that exceeds a threshold period of time. The monitoring may include detecting partially-completed connection transactions initiated by an access requestor, measuring the period of time that a partially-completed connection transaction remains in existence, comparing the period of time with the threshold period of time, and resetting a communication port located on the access provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Foundry Networks LLC, AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wright, Patrick Hufford, Terry Rolon, Jonathan K. Robertson, Thomas Stehnach, Rajkumar Jalan
  • Publication number: 20140282961
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for authenticating an identity of an online user. One method includes receiving from the user, through a first device, a request to access a web page associated with the user's online account; transmitting to the user an image that contains a unique ID and a URL of an authentication server; and receiving from the user, through the first device, an authentication request containing the unique ID. The method also includes receiving from the user, through a second device, a log-in ID associated with the user and the unique ID; and authenticating the identity of the user to grant the user access, through the first device, to the web page associated with the user's online account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Scott DORFMAN, Donald P. Sengpiehl
  • Publication number: 20140258824
    Abstract: The invention provides two enhancements for the use of favorites during a Web browsing session. A first enhancement identifies when a user is adding a favorite to his favorites list and auto-suggests a category under which the favorite could be stored. A second enhancement allows a user to review his favorites list and see a summary of feed content (RSS or other standard) on each feed enabled page on his favorites list, without requiring the user to link to the page in question.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Aditya KHOSLA, Brock Laporte, Alberto Cobas, Colin Chang, Joseph Van Valen
  • Patent number: 8825769
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for filtering electronic communications in a communication system. The method includes receiving a message report from a user in response to an electronic message received by the user, and identifying a confidence value associated with the user from whom the message report is received. The method also includes adding, if the confidence value exceeds a predetermined confidence value threshold, the confidence value to a signature value associated with the electronic message, and determining if the signature value exceeds a signature value threshold. The method further includes filtering the electronic message if the signature value exceeds the signature value threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Elena Zheleva
  • Patent number: 8819022
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and managing topical content for websites. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided for identifying and managing topical content for a website. The method may include determining a set of topics at a first level of popularity, determining a set of topics at a second level of popularity, and discounting the set of topics at the second level of popularity based on the set of topics at the first level of popularity to determine a revised set of topics for the second level of popularity. The method may also include managing the topical content based on the revised set of topics for the second level of popularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Holsman, Sultana Darya
  • Patent number: 8818088
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Keren O. Perlmutter, Sharon M. Perlmutter, Eric Wang, Paul R. Klamer, Christopher J. Cookson, Massimiliano Gasparri
  • Patent number: 8819404
    Abstract: A method of disseminating advertisements includes the step of transmitting to a media device (110) an embedded media player page for playing a media file. The embedded media player page allows a user of the media device (110) to create a bookmark for a browser. The bookmark points to the embedded media player page. The bookmark includes an address of the media file as a parameter. When the bookmark is used in the browser to play the media file, the embedded media player page instructs the media device (110) to request an advertisement from an advertisement server (104) for display in the embedded media player page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Monte Duane Hayward
  • Publication number: 20140237188
    Abstract: Electronic information is made more readily available to one or more access requestors based on an anticipated demand for the electronic information using a process, system or computer software. For instance, electronic information stored on a first storage medium is identified for transport (e.g., in response to a request of at least one of the access requestors), and the electronic information is transported accordingly. Afterwards, a determination is made to store the electronic information on a second storage medium that is more accessible to the access requestors than the first storage medium. The determination is based on an anticipated demand of the access requestors for the electronic information. The anticipated demand is determined based at least on information that is not particular to any single access requestor. The electronic information then is stored on the second storage medium and the access requestors are provided access to the electronic information from the second storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Vinh TRAN, Brian SULLIVAN, Harry G. MORGAN, Ronald HOWARD
  • Patent number: 8812407
    Abstract: Social network information may be shared across online service providers. Thus, one online service provider M that maintains a membership separate from a second online service provider N may nevertheless use the social network maintained by the second online service provider N to tailor content and/or services based on such social network information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Appelman, Steven Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20140229980
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inserting an advertisement into a data stream. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided that includes operations performed by one or more processors, including extracting a metatag from the data stream and identifying an advertising descriptor based the extracted metatag and characteristics of a scene associated with the data stream. The method also includes selecting, based on the identified advertising descriptor, an advertising object from a plurality of advertising objects, the identified advertising descriptor reflecting a temporal transformation of the advertising object within the scene, so that the advertising object appears as if the advertising object was originally included in the data stream. In addition, the method includes inserting the advertising object into the scene included in the data stream and transmitting the data stream with inserted advertising object to a recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: AOL INC.
    Inventor: David S. Bill
  • Publication number: 20140226533
    Abstract: Identifying a caller includes establishing, by a service provider, a connection over a computer network with a user device and accessing information enabling determination of a location of the user. A request to place a call to a call recipient is received from the user and a pool of temporary telephone numbers is accessed. Based on the location of the user, a temporary telephone number from the pool of temporary telephone numbers is selected. The temporary telephone number is associated with the call, the call is initiated to the call recipient, and information sufficient to identify the temporary telephone number is provided in call information sent to the call recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Charles BATES, Monica INGUDAM, Carolyn CIMMET
  • Patent number: 8805950
    Abstract: A method and system for improving data access times for a client system located remote from a central server. One example system includes the client system, the central server, and a client web cache located in close geographical proximity to the client system. The central server receives data requests from the client system and retrieves the data from the appropriate data source. The central server also sends the requested data and scripts to the local client web cache for instructing the client web cache to store the cache data. Alternatively, client web cache may have received a prior one-time instruction to cache predetermined types of data. The client web cache receives the data from the central server and based on the scripts or the one-time instruction, and caches the cache data, as instructed. The cache data may then be accessed by the client system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Landsman, Sailu Reddy
  • Patent number: 8799387
    Abstract: In general, a two or more stage spam filtering system is used to filter spam in an e-mail system. One stage includes a global e-mail classifier that classifies e-mail as it enters the e-mail system. The parameters of the global e-mail classifier generally may be determined by the policies of e-mail system owner and generally are set to only classify as spam those e-mails that are likely to be considered spam by a significant number of users of the e-mail system. Another stage includes personal e-mail classifiers at the individual mailboxes of the e-mail system users. The parameters of the personal e-mail classifiers generally are set by the users through retraining, such that the personal e-mail classifiers are refined to track the subjective perceptions of their respective user as to what e-mails are spam e-mails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Alspector, Aleksander Kolcz
  • Patent number: 8799297
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating the supply of electronic content on an electronic network. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving search results history for a plurality of queries, determining a variability of the search results history for queries for at least one keyword, and determining a supply value indicative of a supply of electronic content on the electronic network relating to the at least one keyword, based on the determined search results variability. The method further includes requesting, over the electronic network, electronic content relating to the at least one keyword based on the determined supply value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Holsman
  • Publication number: 20140215597
    Abstract: In the event of an unintentional interruption, a token issued by a host system to a client system is used to reestablish communications without disrupting applications on the client system. If the host system provided an Internet Protocol address to the client system to be used during the interrupted communications session, the host system reserves the communications address during an interruption in communications for a period sufficient to permit reestablishment of communications using the reserved address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Appelman, Eric Bosco, Rich Thornberg
  • Patent number: 8793614
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for using the existing Universal Resource Identifier (URI) history feature of browsers to maintain user preference settings, or other state information, used by one or more web sites or other systems. In one embodiment, when a user makes a particular preference selection on a web site, the user's selection is recorded in the browser's URI history by causing the browser to access a URI (or a set of URIs) representing the particular selection. The same or a different web site may subsequently test the browser's URI history for this particular URI by including appropriate JavaScript or other executable code in a page requested by the browser. Depending upon the outcome of this test, the web site and/or the page's executable code may take an appropriate action or inaction consistent with the preference selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Wilson, Mark H. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 8793596
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for a simplified instant messaging interface are provided for allowing users to initiate and engage in instant messaging conversations. In various embodiments, the systems and methods reduce the overhead involved in initiating and/or engaging in instant messaging conversations. In some embodiments, the simplified instant messaging interface allows users to initiate and or engage in conversations without having to open a separate standard messaging window for every conversation. In some embodiments, the simplified instant messaging interface may be used in conjunction with a standard instant messaging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Ronen Arad
  • Patent number: 8793534
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for scanning web sites and/or parsing web content, including for testing online opt-out systems and/or cookies used by online systems. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for testing an opt-out system associated with at least one advertising system that uses cookies. The method includes transmitting a first request to an opt-out system, wherein the first request corresponds to a first test for testing at least one of the opt-out system and an advertising system; receiving a first stream sent in response to the first request; determining a first outcome of the first test based on the first stream; and generating a report based on the first outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Wilson