Patents Assigned to Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10402462
    Abstract: Networking systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide robust filtering to enable users to customize their networking environments. A networking system can comprise a plurality of interfaces, a request unit, a management unit, and a filter unit. Each interface can include a plurality of displayable objects, each of which can represent some user of the networking system. The request unit can receive from a client a request for one of the interfaces. The management unit can manage filters, where each active filter hides one or more users from one or more other users. When an interface is requested by a client associated with a first user, the filter unit can apply the active filters to the requested interface to exclude displayable objects that represent users hidden from the first user by one or more active filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall, Joseph J. Cahill, Nicholas N. Panone
  • Patent number: 10075359
    Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary method can include transmitting a request to deliver requested content over a network. The method can further include transmitting a first confirmation responsive to receiving a test packet. Additionally, the method can include receiving, a first data set that is at least a first portion of the requested content and which includes a second request for confirmation, and transmitting a second confirmation. Finally, the method can include receiving a second data set, the second data set that is at least a second portion of the requested content and that is different from the first portion of the requested content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall, Ronald Shane Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10025865
    Abstract: Networking systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide robust filtering to enable users to customize their networking environments. A networking system can comprise a plurality of interfaces, a request unit, a management unit, and a filter unit. Each interface can include a plurality of displayable objects, each of which can represent some user of the networking system. The request unit can receive from a client a request for one of the interfaces. The management unit can manage filters, where each active filter hides one or more users from one or more other users. When an interface is requested by a client associated with a first user, the filter unit can apply the active filters to the requested interface to exclude displayable objects that represent users hidden from the first user by one or more active filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall, Joseph J. Cahill, Nicholas N. Panone
  • Patent number: 10002331
    Abstract: Order fulfillment systems and methods, which may enable a recipient to retrieve an ordered product from a plurality of providers, and may additionally deliver a virtual representation of the ordered product to the recipient. The order fulfillment method may be a paperless process comprising electronically receiving an order from a customer for a product to be retrieved by the recipient. A virtual representation of the ordered product may then be delivered and displayed to the recipient. A status module may be provided to indicate to providers whether the order has yet been fulfilled. The method may further comprise receiving an update to the status module when the recipient selects a provider and retrieves the ordered product from the selected provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall
  • Patent number: 9383909
    Abstract: A display system provides a graphical user interface having a dynamic display field, which is contained within a useable display area. The dynamic display field can have an expanded state and collapsed state, and the current state of the dynamic display field can depend on properties of the useable display area. When collapsed, the dynamic display area has a shared content area and two or more content tags. Each content tag can be active or inactive, and the shared content area shows displayable contents corresponding to active content tags. Tags are activated and deactivated based on user selections. When expanded, the dynamic display field includes dedicated content areas, where each dedicated content area shows a displayable content. Accordingly, when the useable display space allows, the dynamic display field can automatically transition to the expanded state, thereby enabling a greater amount of content to be displayed at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Pearson
  • Patent number: 9275247
    Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site incorporating a combination of one or more of the following: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. The networking system may categorize each user of the web site into classes, including a featured class, a common class, a sponsored class, and a sponsoring class. The networking system may facilitate user interactions, some of which may be partially dependent on user classes. A featured user may opt to temporarily appear as a common user, thus activating an alternative user profile and hiding his featured status. A sponsored user may participate in interactions on the web site if a sponsoring user offers his credits to pay for the sponsored member's participation. Other aspects of the networking system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall, Joseph J. Cahill, Nicholas N. Panone
  • Patent number: 9100340
    Abstract: Networking systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide robust filtering to enable users to customize their networking environments. A networking system can comprise a plurality of interfaces, a request unit, a management unit, and a filter unit. Each interface can include a plurality of displayable objects, each of which can represent some user of the networking system. The request unit can receive from a client a request for one of the interfaces. The management unit can manage filters, where each active filter hides one or more users from one or more other users. When an interface is requested by a client associated with a first user, the filter unit can apply the active filters to the requested interface to exclude displayable objects that represent users hidden from the first user by one or more active filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall, Joseph J. Cahill, Nicholas N. Panone
  • Patent number: 9089780
    Abstract: Techniques for gamifying real-time network communications between users. In one implementation, a video puzzle based may be created based on scrambling a live video stream from a first user. The video puzzle may be displayed to a second user in communication with the first user. Responsive to a solving of the video puzzle by the second user, communications functionality between the first user and second user may be modified. For example, a fee assessed by a chat service or other facilitator for hosting the communications between the first user and second user may be waived or reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall
  • Patent number: 8949379
    Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall, Ronald Shane Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8880447
    Abstract: Matching systems and methods for social networking systems can select matches for users based on observed activities. A matching system can include, for example, a preference unit, a monitoring unit, and a matching unit. Generally, the preference unit can receive and process matching preference information for a user; the monitoring unit can monitor the user's activities on or observable by the server; and the matching unit can select and recommend matches for the user based on the monitored activities. Thus, matches can be suggested to the user based on the user's observed activities, and not simply based on the user's potentially inaccurate self-description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Holly Pearson, Gregory A. Pearson, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140222898
    Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall, Ronald Shane Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8782125
    Abstract: Networking systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide robust filtering to enable users to customize their networking environments. A networking system can comprise a plurality of interfaces, a request unit, a management unit, and a filter unit. Each interface can include a plurality of displayable objects, each of which can represent some user of the networking system. The request unit can receive from a client a request for one of the interfaces. The management unit can manage filters, where each active filter hides one or more users from one or more other users. When an interface is requested by a client associated with a first user, the filter unit can apply the active filters to the requested interface to exclude displayable objects that represent users hidden from the first user by one or more active filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall, Joseph J. Cahill, Nicholas N. Panone
  • Patent number: 8615569
    Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall
  • Patent number: 8381116
    Abstract: A display system provides a graphical user interface having a dynamic display field, which is contained within a useable display area. The dynamic display field can have an expanded state and collapsed state, and the current state of the dynamic display field can depend on properties of the useable display area. When collapsed, the dynamic display area has a shared content area and two or more content tags. Each content tag can be active or inactive, and the shared content area shows displayable contents corresponding to active content tags. Tags are activated and deactivated based on user selections. When expanded, the dynamic display field includes dedicated content areas, where each dedicated content area shows a displayable content. Accordingly, when the useable display space allows, the dynamic display field can automatically transition to the expanded state, thereby enabling a greater amount of content to be displayed at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20120323999
    Abstract: Networking systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide robust filtering to enable users to customize their networking environments. A networking system can comprise a plurality of interfaces, a request unit, a management unit, and a filter unit. Each interface can include a plurality of displayable objects, each of which can represent some user of the networking system. The request unit can receive from a client a request for one of the interfaces. The management unit can manage filters, where each active filter hides one or more users from one or more other users. When an interface is requested by a client associated with a first user, the filter unit can apply the active filters to the requested interface to exclude displayable objects that represent users hidden from the first user by one or more active filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, David B. Hall, Joseph J. Cahill, Nicholas N. Panone
  • Patent number: 8296683
    Abstract: A display system provides a graphical user interface having a dynamic display field, which is contained within a useable display area. The dynamic display field can have an expanded state and collapsed state, and the current state of the dynamic display field can depend on properties of the useable display area. When collapsed, the dynamic display area has a shared content area and two or more content tags. Each content tag can be active or inactive, and the shared content area shows displayable contents corresponding to active content tags. Tags are activated and deactivated based on user selections. When expanded, the dynamic display field includes dedicated content areas, where each dedicated content area shows a displayable content. Accordingly, when the useable display space allows, the dynamic display field can automatically transition to the expanded state, thereby enabling a greater amount of content to be displayed at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall
  • Publication number: 20120102152
    Abstract: Content delivery systems and related methods can provide dynamic content across a network, based on detected network performance. An exemplary content delivery system can comprise a content request unit, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The content request unit can receive and process content requests from clients, and can instruct the transmission unit to provide the requested content. The detection unit 160 can detect performance of the network between the content delivery system and the client and, based on the detected performance, can update the values of one or more performance indicators. Upon receiving instruction from the content request unit, the transmission unit can select a data set from among a plurality of data sets embodying the requested content. The particular selection made can be based on the current values of the performance indicator. The transmission unit can then deliver the selected data set to the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Pearson, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall
  • Publication number: 20120072382
    Abstract: Matching systems and methods for social networking systems can select matches for users based on observed activities. A matching system can include, for example, a preference unit, a monitoring unit, and a matching unit. Generally, the preference unit can receive and process matching preference information for a user; the monitoring unit can monitor the user's activities on or observable by the server; and the matching unit can select and recommend matches for the user based on the monitored activities. Thus, matches can be suggested to the user based on the user's observed activities, and not simply based on the user's potentially inaccurate self-description.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Holly Pearson, Gregory A. Pearson, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall
  • Publication number: 20120044258
    Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site serviced by a web server assembly. The web site may generally comprise a combination of the following components: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. An exemplary embodiment of the chat bidding system may comprise a plurality of common user accounts, a queue, and a featured user account. Common users of the common user accounts may pose tasks to the featured user, and may make a pledge for each task. The tasks may be stored in, and sorted by, the queue based on their pledges. A featured user of the featured user account may be presented with a highest ranked task in the queue, and may choose to respond to the task or to skip the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. PEARSON, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall
  • Publication number: 20120045045
    Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site serviced by a web server assembly. The web site may generally comprise a combination of the following components: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. An exemplary embodiment of the chat bidding system may comprise a plurality of common user accounts, a queue, and a featured user account. Common users of the common user accounts may pose tasks to the featured user, and may make a pledge for each task. The tasks may be stored in, and sorted by, the queue based on their pledges. A featured user of the featured user account may be presented with a highest ranked task in the queue, and may choose to respond to the task or to skip the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Gregory A. Pearson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. PEARSON, Ronald Shane Hamilton, David B. Hall