Patents Assigned to The Cobalt Group, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120209714
    Abstract: An advertising provider may be obligated to ensure that its advertising directs users to the correct business entity (e.g., dealer or franchise). The advertising provider may maintain a datastructure comprising a plurality of “areas of responsibility” (AOR), each of which may be assigned to a respective dealer. When generating advertising content to be provided to a user, the advertising provider may access location-identifying information about the user. The location-identifying information may comprise a zip code, street address, or the like, which is sufficiently specific to allow the advertising provider to identify an AOR in the AOR datastructure. Accordingly, generalized location information, such as city, state, and/or country may not be sufficient. The location-identifying information may be used to identify the dealer that is assigned to the user. The advertising provider may access dealer-specific information, which may be used to generate dealer-targeted advertising for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: THE COBALT GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Dacoglu Douglas, Maxwell M. Steckler, Robert Edward Dominy
  • Patent number: 8055544
    Abstract: An inventory manager processes and assigns data from data records for a product in accordance with rule set that correspond to a source and venue associate with the product. The inventory manager may delete, modify, and create data within a data record. The data may be selectively made available for use by a venue based on the rule set. The inventory manager may include a style identification manager to determine a product style value for the venue based on the data currently available for possible use by the venue and on instructions and logic within the rule set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Royce Ullman, Brian T. Worsham
  • Patent number: 8051159
    Abstract: A plurality of affiliated network of websites may be configured to log user interactions thereon. The respective logs may comprise user identification information to allow a profile aggregation service to correlate user interactions across the plurality of websites and to generate respective user profiles, which may be used to configure the websites. A context aware platform (CAP) website may be configured to provide web services for entities in a business hierarchy. The CAP website may capable of presenting content in one of a plurality of operational modes associated with a geographical granularity of the franchise hierarchy. In addition, the CAP website may be configurable according to a user profile generated using user interactions across a plurality of websites and/or on the CAP website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Muilenburg, Stefan Piesche
  • Patent number: 7870253
    Abstract: A plurality of affiliated network of websites may be configured to log user interactions thereon. The respective logs may comprise user identification information to allow a profile aggregation service to correlate user interactions across the plurality of websites and to generate respective user profiles, which may be used to configure the websites. A context aware platform (CAP) website may be configured to provide web services for entities in a business hierarchy. The CAP website may capable of presenting content in one of a plurality of operational modes associated with a geographical granularity of the franchise hierarchy. In addition, the CAP website may be configurable according to a user profile generated using user interactions across a plurality of websites and/or on the CAP website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Muilenburg, Stefan Piesche
  • Patent number: 7861309
    Abstract: The invention provides a business platform, a business entity management system, and a software module that can be used in conjunction with the software service framework. The invention mimics actual business relationships between business entities, and uses a software service module to configure the business entities into a network that comprises at least three generations of business entities, wherein role dependent associations mimicking real life business relationships are established between the business entities. The invention provides management of active content in a website and allows modification of the content by different business entities. Control of the active content is determined by precedence of the business entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Spearman, Lee M. Davis
  • Patent number: 7801154
    Abstract: A provider system connects through a virtual private network to a site having various possible virtual private network variants. A virtual private network connection is established to site data management server through a network interface. A virtual machine server, including virtual machines, communicates with the provider system. Each virtual machine is capable of building a virtual private network tunnel connection, over a network, to a site data management server. In establishing a connection, a connection script is executed, a virtual private network is determined, and a virtual private network protocol is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Schrock
  • Patent number: 7672984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for integrating a shop management system with a system for generating and sending service reminders based on the estimated mileage the vehicle. The mileage of the vehicle can be estimated based on the age of the vehicle, or it can be based on the last known mileage of the vehicle and estimating the additional mileage using average vehicle mileage statistics. The mileage of the vehicle may be estimated based on actual vehicle history, and may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the driver, or the geographic location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kelly, John Supra
  • Patent number: 7636623
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for sending recall bulletins and mileage based service reminders. The mileage of the vehicle can be estimated based on the age of the vehicle, or it can be based on the last known mileage of the vehicle and estimating the additional mileage using average vehicle mileage statistics. The mileage of the vehicle may be estimated based on actual vehicle history, and may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the driver, or the geographic location of the vehicle. Service reminders sent to a recipient include a link to a scheduling server. A service bulletin update server queries a service bulleting server for government mandated recalls and manufacturer recommended serve bulletins. The reminder server screens the updated recall and serve bulletins against the vehicles in the system and sends service reminders to the owners or drivers of matching vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kelly, John Supra
  • Patent number: 7624342
    Abstract: A visual WYSIWYG method of editing a web site in a remote user's client web browser without employing any external code on the user's computer, including designating an editable feature in a web page and responding to a request from the user's web browser to edit the web page. The response includes downloading the requested web page in an editable form which allows the user to edit the web page in the browser. The web browser then submits an identifier of the web site, a version of the web site, an identifier of the web page edited, an identifier of an editable feature, and indicia of a new selection for the identified editable feature. The web site stored on the server is then updated to incorporate the new selection for the editable feature. The revised web page is then downloaded to the user's web browser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade A. Matveyenko, Bryan Benson, Stella Uyeno, Brian T. Worsham, Rajan Krishnamurty
  • Patent number: 7617028
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for screening and sending appropriate promotions with a system for generating and sending service reminders based on the estimated mileage the vehicle. The mileage of the vehicle can be estimated based on the age of the vehicle, or it can be based on the last known mileage of the vehicle and estimating the additional mileage using average vehicle mileage statistics. The mileage of the vehicle may be estimated based on actual vehicle history, and may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the driver, or the geographic location of the vehicle. Promotions may be screened according to mileage, vehicle characteristics, vehicle operational characteristics, driver preferences or characteristics, or seasonal characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kelly, John Supra
  • Patent number: 7542833
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for scheduling service appointments based on service reminders sent based on the estimated mileage the vehicle. The mileage of the vehicle can be estimated based on the age of the vehicle, or it can be based on the last known mileage of the vehicle and estimating the additional mileage using average vehicle mileage statistics. The mileage of the vehicle may be estimated based on actual vehicle history, and may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the driver, or the geographic location of the vehicle. Service reminders sent to a recipient include a link to a scheduling server. The scheduling server provides a scheduling page allowing the recipient to view and select from available service time slots at the service shop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kelly, John Supra, Michael Rush
  • Patent number: 7386786
    Abstract: A dynamic webpage processing method, including identifying a static component within a dynamic webpage, the static component comprising computer code defining at least a portion of a target webpage and configurable via first configuration data, rendering the static component as a static markup language equivalent, and returning the target webpage upon request through rendering a dynamic component within the dynamic webpage based on second configuration data is disclosed. Thus, static component(s) can be pre-rendered, leaving only the dynamic component(s) of the dynamic webpage for on-the-fly rendering when a target webpage request is made. This can greatly reduce dynamic webpage processing requirements, particularly in situations where the webpage configuration changes or evolves slowly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee M. Davis, Wade A. Matveyenko, Robert M. Spearman
  • Patent number: 7062506
    Abstract: A method for proofing a prototype dynamic webpage version referencing first configuration data is disclosed. The prototype dynamic webpage can be derived from a live version referencing second configuration data and accessible via a live link. The method includes storing first configuration data in a configuration database also containing second configuration data, providing a prototype link to the prototype dynamic webpage version dissimilar from the live link; and returning, upon a prototype link request, the prototype dynamic webpage version, involving rendering the prototype dynamic webpage version based on the first configuration data without altering the live dynamic webpage version. Also disclosed is a dynamic webpage versioning system working off a configuration database and distinct versions of configuration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Don H. Taylor, Wade A. Matveyenko, Rajan Krishnamurty
  • Patent number: 7039704
    Abstract: The invention provides a business platform, a business entity management system, and a software module that can be used in conjunction with the software service framework. The invention mimics actual business relationships between business entities, and uses a software service module to configure the business entities into a network that comprises at least three generations of business entities, wherein role dependent associations mimicking real life business relationships are established between the business entities. The invention provides management of active content in a website and allows modification of the content by different business entities. Control of the active content is determined by precedence of the business entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee M. Davis, Robert M. Spearman, Robert C. Combs
  • Patent number: 7000184
    Abstract: A dynamic web-based application for WYSIWYG editing of a web page generates editor functionality embedded into the web page using standard markup language so that a remote user with permission can edit the web page in a standard web browser without installing any external software. The resulting “editable web page” includes at least one editable content cell, such as a text cell or graphic cell, identified by an editing icon and interactive editing behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade A. Matveyenko, Bryan Benson, Stella M. Uyeno, Brian T. Worsham, Rajan Krishnamurty
  • Publication number: 20050065804
    Abstract: The invention is of a unique method and system for efficiently configuring, accessing, and furnishing of customized information about one or more objects from a database to one or more venues, each directed at particular audiences, where the audiences each have a different assigned status, based on the nature and quantity of information that is appropriate to make available to them. In order to customize the information, the total information about the object is conveniently divided into data subsets, and each venue is only permitted access to certain subsets of the information, based on rules pertaining to and associated with the particular venue. Moreover information about certain objects can be selectively screened off from certain specified venues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: The Cobalt Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Worsham, Matthew Ullman