Patents Assigned to AOL
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Patent number: 7567662Abstract: Initiating a conference call includes identifying a group of users, determining the availability of users within the identified group to receive an electronic conference call invitation, and sending an electronic conference call invitation to at least two users within the identified group based on their determined availability. The users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation are able to respond to the electronic conference call invitation. The users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation and respond with an indication of availability for participation in the conference call are determined. A conference call is initiated between users who are sent the electronic conference call invitation based on whether the users respond with an indication of availability.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: AOL LLCInventors: W. Karl Renner, Stephen Vaughan Murphy
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Patent number: 7567958Abstract: A system for organizing a content site so that articles preferred by a user (viewer) of the site are brought to the fore for easy access. The system observes the user's actions during the normal course of browsing through a content site, and creates a model of the user's preferences for various types of articles. This model is created as an Internet user ‘clicks’ on articles which the user desires to read, without requiring any other feedback from the user. The user model is then employed to reorganize the content site so that the articles preferred by the user are presented in an order according to the user's interests. This model can also be used to present the user with advertising material based on the user's demonstrated interests. The system performs the above functions by using word vector-space representation of the documents combined with adaptive learning techniques.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: AOL, LLCInventors: Joshua Alspector, Aleksander Kolcz
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Publication number: 20090182848Abstract: A client may be configured to access a network by identifying a network bandwidth configuration setting to be used by the client in accessing a networked content source, enabling the client to access the content source using the network bandwidth configuration setting, monitoring client access to the content source, comparing client access metrics to metrics associated with the network bandwidth configuration setting, determining, based on the comparison, whether to adjust the network bandwidth configuration settings for the client, and adjusting the network bandwidth configuration setting if appropriate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: AOL LLCInventors: Scott K. Brown, David L. Biderman
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Publication number: 20090182830Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting electronic messages using attributes of senders or of sender addresses. An electronic messaging server sorts electronic messages using attributes associated with the senders or sender addresses of the electronic messages. The sender addresses and associated attributes are stored in an accept list. A sorting module uses the accept list to sort the electronic messages into various folders. The sorting module can also access other data sources, such as a contact list, to assist in sorting the electronic messages. The attributes can be determined independently of the user or can be set directly by the user. The attributes can also identify a status of a sender such as whether the sender is authorized, unauthorized, or unconfirmed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: AOL LLCInventors: Phillip Y. Goldman, Richard A. Landsman
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Patent number: 7562069Abstract: A search query is resolved prior to being submitted to one or more search engines. The query is resolved such that the query unambiguously corresponds to a category included in a query ontology that relates search queries to query categories. The query may be resolved by supplementing the query with additional information corresponding to the category. For example, the query may be formatted into a canonical form of the query for the category. Alternatively or additionally, the query may be supplemented with one or more keywords that are associated with the category and that represent words or phrases that appear in a high percentage of search results for queries from the category. Resolving the query yields search results that more closely reflect search results desired by a user submitting the query.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: AOL LLCInventors: Abdur R. Chowdhury, Gregory S. Pass
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Publication number: 20090177797Abstract: Enabling a host system to communicate with and to identify at least one client device that communicates with the host system through a network address translator device includes enabling communications from a first client device through the network address translator device. A data packet is received that includes a payload portion and an attribute portion, where the attribute portion includes a destination address that indicates a destination for the data packet and a nearest source address. A portion of the received data packet other than the nearest source address is examined for a host-assigned identifier that identifies a client device that communicated the received data packet. The received data packet typically is processed in accordance with predetermined host system controls accessible to the host system for the first client device identified, such as host-enabled parental controls.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (Formerly Known as America Online, Inc.)Inventors: Richard Rodriguez-Val, Richard A. Watson, JR.
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Publication number: 20090177655Abstract: Performing a category search to identify categories of web sites that relate to a search term includes receiving at least one search term that then is compared with a hierarchy of category identifiers, and with terms related to one or more categories, to determine whether matches exist. A category identifier is selected based on the matches that are determined to exist within the hierarchy and the terms, and at least the category identifier is displayed. Performing a search to identify web sites and categories of web sites that relate to a search term also may include receiving at least one search term that then is compared with a list of recommended web sites, previously performed searches, a hierarchy of category identifiers, and terms related to one or more categories to determine whether matches exist. Results based on matches that are determined to exist are displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: AOL LLCInventors: Surendra GOEL, William Martin
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Patent number: 7558828Abstract: Enabling electronic logging using an instant message system includes identifying an interactive agent to an instant message (IM) host system under a first screen name, receiving multiple IMs addressed to the first screen name, the IMs being received from multiple users identifiable to the IM host system, and for each of at least some received, IMs addressed to the first screen name determining which one of the multiple users sent the IM, identifying a web log associated with the user who sent the IM, and adding the contents of the IM to the identified web log.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability CompanyInventor: John Panzer
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Patent number: 7558955Abstract: Digitally signed and encrypted synchronous online messages are conducted between prescribed online messaging service subscribers.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyInventors: Jeff Hooker, James A. Odell, Robert B. Lord, Terry N. Hayes
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Patent number: 7558805Abstract: Performing a search to identify web sites that relate to a search term based on text within the web sites includes receiving at least one search term that then is compared with electronic information within at least one electronic information store to determine whether matches exist. The electronic information within the at least one information store may include text and/or full text displayed by different web pages from different web sites. Results based on the matches that are determined to exist are displayed. The results include at least one website identifier. The search may be performed by a web host having members and may further include automatically scanning and storing the text of a website when the website is accessed by a member of the web host. The stored text may be compared against received search terms.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: AOL LLCInventor: Surendra Goel
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Publication number: 20090172564Abstract: A user maintains notification setting information having temporal periods capable of controlling, at least in part, the dissemination of information describing the on-line presence of the user within an instant messaging system or the geographic location of one or more mobile communications devices used by the user. The user may use multiple identities to communicate within the instant messaging system and/or with the mobile communications device or devices. The user can maintain sets of temporal periods for each of the multiple identities. Only one identity may be used at a specific time to communicate to a specific other identity, but the multiple identities of the user may be linked such that on-line presence and/or geographic location associated with one of the identities is disseminated based on the temporal periods set for one or more of the multiple identities.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: AOL LLCInventor: Edmund J. Fish
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Patent number: 7555721Abstract: Regulating user interface controls includes receiving a user identifier, associating a grouping with the user identifier by selecting a grouping from among different groupings and automatically providing a set of user interface controls corresponding to the identified grouping, the set of user interface controls including a toolbar. The groupings can correspond to the maturity levels (e.g., kids and teenagers) of different network service provider users.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Jack Wassom, Renee Schaefer, Cory Chandler
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Patent number: 7552172Abstract: Systems and techniques for transferring electronic data to a user of a communications system by establishing a connection between a client and a host; receiving electronic data from the host in response to a data request transmitted from the client; and at the client, simultaneously executing multiple instantiations of the browser application in response to the electronic data received from the host. The client includes a browser application configured to render data encapsulated in a standard Internet content format. Each instantiation of the browser application is configured to exchange messages with at least one other instantiation of the browser application.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability CompanyInventors: David Corboy, John Marshall
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Publication number: 20090157843Abstract: The claimed invention enables digital asset management that is responsive to a user's interactions with digital assets. Based on the user's interaction, the invention generates a ranking of the digital assets that is intended to reflect the value of the digital assets to the user. The ranking is based in part on the access frequency and recency, and the number and types of uses of the digital assets. An access hierarchy is derived from the ranking that stores the digital assets so that the higher ranked digital assets are more easily accessed than the lower ranked digital assets. The digital assets can include any of digital images, audio files, and Uniform Resource Locators. The invention can also distinguish between different types of uses so that some types of uses imbue an asset with greater value than others. The types of uses include passive viewing or playback, file sharing, transport, and editing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2009Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: AOL LLCInventors: Vidur Apparao, John Bandhauer, Christopher Robert Waterson
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Publication number: 20090158184Abstract: Avatars are used to graphically represent users in a communications session, and the avatars are capable of being animated. An indication of an animation of one of the avatars is received. Another avatar that represents another of the users is animated in response to, and based on, the animation of the avatar in the same communications session.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (Formerly Known as Ameria Online, Inc.)Inventors: Patrick D. Blattner, John D. Robinson
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Patent number: 7548956Abstract: The characteristics of a communications account are used to determine whether the account is being used by a spammer. When the account is being used by a spammer, the use of the account for outgoing communications is limited to help prevent spam from being sent from the account. For example, communications from the account can be blocked, messages from the account may be delivered to a spam folder at the recipient (rather than an “inbox”), or outgoing messages from the account may be rate-limited.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: AOL LLCInventors: Norihiro Edwin Aoki, Shai Itzhak Bentov
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Patent number: 7546537Abstract: Systems and techniques for displaying an image sent between subscribers of a communications system by receiving electronic data corresponding to the image; displaying a blurred view of the image; and gradually displaying a sharper version of the image in response to user input.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: AOL LLCInventor: James Crawford
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Patent number: 7546337Abstract: Systems and techniques for transferring one or more files by connecting to a communications system host; sending, to a client connected to the communications system host, a request to transfer one or more files; when a client permits access to the one or more files, establishing a direct socket connection from the client and bypassing the communications system host; and initiating the transfer of the one or more files from the client over the direct socket connection.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: AOL LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability CompanyInventor: James Crawford
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Publication number: 20090144275Abstract: The system and method comprises enhancement of results for a search engine, wherein the results from the search engine are refined or reorganized, based upon information from an identified secondary source. The results obtained using a conventional search are compared against the identified secondary source, e.g. a ratings service, and are filtered and/or sorted appropriately. In some embodiments, identification of the secondary source, such as a ratings service comprising information which may supplement the subject of a search query, is based upon information entered by the user. In alternate embodiments, the secondary source is associated with a user, as part of general user-specified search parameters, wherein one or more parameters are consulted automatically for searches for appropriate subject matter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: AOL LLCInventors: Edmund J. FISH, Bradley Chase Harrison
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Patent number: RE40804Abstract: A method is provided for preventing the delivery of unwanted electronic mail messages to a destination client. An original electronic mail message is first received from a source client at a destination server. Next, a reply electronic mail message is sent from the destination server to the source client requesting the source client to complete a registration process to register the source client's electronic mail address with the destination server. The original electronic mail message is only sent from the destination server to the destination client when the source client properly registers the source client's electronic mail address.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: AOL LLCInventor: Jeffrey Nelson Heiner
