Patents Assigned to West Services, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20170048231
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a computer system having processing and memory means operable to provide a monetized online content system. The computer system is coupled to one or more resource modules each having data in the memory means and includes: an interceptor module configured to receive a request from a client for one or more resources available from one or more resource modules, refer the request to one or more of the resource modules configured to fulfill the request, receive one or more responses from one or more of the resource modules, at least one of said one or more responses having one or more events associated therewith, and transform the one or more responses by removing the one or more events associated with the one or more responses prior to presentation of the one or more responses to the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: West Services Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sturm, Richard N. Dauk
  • Patent number: 8996979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to document automation/assembly systems, and more particularly to document automation systems distributed over a network such as the Internet, and/or other communication networks. In addition, the present invention relates to methods, especially computer-implemented methods, to computer programs, and to recording media storing such programs for use in such systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kendal Pickles, Ali Shahid Ahmed, Robert James Dow
  • Publication number: 20150026202
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided through which data parseable against a document type definition by generating a list of a possible paths of an input element that is not encoded against the document type definition, determining the path that is the best fit with the document type definition, and then generating the element in the syntax of the document type definition. Determining the path that is the best fit includes parsing the path against the document type definition. The best fit is expressed in a scoring scale, in which the best score indicates the best fit. Thereafter, the path with the best fit is translated in accordance to the document type definition or markup language.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: WEST SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael S. Zaharkin
  • Patent number: 8935229
    Abstract: The present inventor devised systems, methods, interfaces, and software that can facilitate generation and presentation of legal trend data based on legal documents, such as caselaw documents or court docket documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Ritchey
  • Patent number: 8898174
    Abstract: A method for determining legal experience including determining a count of times each attorney of a plurality of attorneys is identified as an author of at least one document of a plurality of documents, each document of the plurality of documents has a date associated therewith; applying a weight to the count based on the date of each document used to determine the count to yield a weighted count, a more recent date corresponds to a greater weight; determining a legal experience indicator for each attorney based on the weighted count; and ranking each attorney of the plurality of attorneys according to the legal experience indicator; providing a list of the plurality of attorneys according to the ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ritchey, Charles Vanek
  • Patent number: 8799768
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided through which data parseable against a document type definition by generating a list of a possible paths of an input element that is not encoded against the document type definition, determining the path that is the best fit with the document type definition, and then generating the element in the syntax of the document type definition. Determining the path that is the best fit includes parsing the path against the document type definition. The best fit is expressed in a scoring scale, in which the best score indicates the best fit. Thereafter, the path with the best fit is translated in accordance to the document type definition or markup language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Zaharkin
  • Publication number: 20140180935
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining a plurality of pieces of different information about a textual document from the text of the textual document are provided in which one or more particular characteristics of the text of the textual document are identified to generate a file containing the text of the textual document with the particular characteristics marked up within the text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: WEST SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Forrest Rhoads, Dan Dabney, Bob Haschart, Jack G. Conrad, Howard Turtle, Kinley Larntz, Bokyung Yang-Stephens, Daniel Gannon
  • Publication number: 20140172872
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of processing data containing information about relationships between contacts and a community of contact owners is provided, which includes the steps of: collecting data having contact information, contact owner information and one or more values related to the strength of a relationship between the contact and the contact owner; evaluating the strength of the relationship based on the one or more values; and storing the collected data and evaluated strength in a computer database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Hyatt, Michael Yoon, Wilbur Swan
  • Publication number: 20140095598
    Abstract: A method for evaluating an online entity presence includes receiving a set of social media information for at least one entity and calculating a social media measurement where the social media measurement is associated with the set of social media information. The method further includes receiving a set of online profile information for the at least one entity, the set of online profile information being associated with one or more non-social media online profiles, and calculating an online profile measurement wherein the online profile measurement is associated with the set of online profile information. The method further includes calculating a reach value, the reach value being associated with the social media measurement and the online profile measurement and providing a reach score to a user where the reach score associated with the reach value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: WEST SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: JILL SCHORNACK, Eric Iverson, Brian Doyle, Aaron Hareid
  • Publication number: 20140059050
    Abstract: A method for enabling a user to search database profiles includes receiving user input categorizing an information need, and determining whether the user input corresponds to a first or a second type of category. In response to determining that the user input corresponds to the first category type, the method includes requesting user input defining a first query, and in response to receipt of the query, and executing the defined first query against a set of one or more databases based on the user input categorizing the information need. In response to determining that the user input corresponds to the second category type, the method includes requesting additional user input regarding the information need.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: WEST SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack G. Conrad, Joanne R. S. Claussen
  • Patent number: 8661066
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically processing a textual document by identifying occurrences of a piece of text having a predetermined format in the textual document; determining a depth-of-treatment value for each piece of formatted text in the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value indicating a depth of treatment in the textual document afforded to the particular piece of formatted text; associating an abstract with each piece of formatted text in the textual document; and generating a data record containing each identified piece of formatted text from the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value and the abstract associated with each piece of formatted text in the textual document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: West Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest Rhoads, Daniel Gannon, Paul Werner, Steve Hestness, Kimberly Anne Kothe, Jonathan James Medin, Nick Bieter
  • Patent number: 8612492
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of processing data containing information about relationships between contacts and a community of contact owners is provided, which includes the steps of: collecting data having contact information, contact owner information and one or more values related to the strength of a relationship between the contact and the contact owner; evaluating the strength of the relationship based on the one or more values; and storing the collected data and evaluated strength in a computer database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Hyatt, Michael Yoon, Wilbur Swan
  • Patent number: 8600974
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining a plurality of pieces of different information about a textual document from the text of the textual document are provided in which one or more particular characteristics of the text of the textual document are identified to generate a file containing the text of the textual document with the particular characteristics marked up within the text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: West Services Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest Rhoads, Daniel Dabney, Robert J. Haschart, Jack G. Conrad, Howard Turtle, Kinley Larntz, Bokyung Yang-Stephens, Daniel Gannon
  • Patent number: 8549303
    Abstract: A method for electronically signing an electronic transcript. The method includes obtaining an image of a court reporter's signature which may be incorporated into an electronic transcript. A hash operation performed on the electronic transcript to generate a representation of the contents of the electronic transcript. The representation of the contents of the electronic transcript is recorded/time stamped by a digital notary service, from which a notary record of the time stamping is obtained from the digital notary service. The notary record is digitally signed, and an electronically signed electronic transcript is formed by bundling the digitally signed notary record with the electronic transcript and with the data identifying the user. In this manner, an electronic transcript with an electronic signature is created. The electronic transcript may be viewed, with the image displayed in the viewer having an image of the court reporter's signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Davin Fifield, Kevin Koch
  • Patent number: 8543564
    Abstract: Some information retrieval systems, such as the Westlaw™ system, empower users to search thousands of databases. One problem with some systems is that the large number of databases makes it difficult for some users to identify the right database(s) to search. Thus, the inventors devised, among other things, new options for helping users target searches on the right databases. One option enables users to search sample-based database profiles. Another enables users to navigate to a category or subcategory in an online database directory and search databases or database profiles associated with the category. And, yet another enables users to select a query-category and receive a list of relevant database choices, a list of links into a database directory, or a sequence of follow-up questions. One or more of these or other disclosed innovations enable users to execute more effective search strategies, while potentially reducing computational burdens on information retrieval systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: West Publishing Company, West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack S. Conrad, Joanne R. S. Claussen
  • Patent number: 8392875
    Abstract: A dynamic data-modeling system and a content management framework combined into a high-level application development framework is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system for application development, comprises a data-modeling framework configured to enable a user to define a logical data model. The data-modeling framework dynamically translates the logical data model into a corresponding physical data model. The changes to the logical data model are automatically adjusted in the physical data model accordingly. A content management framework is coupled to the data-modeling framework. The content management framework is configured to provide tools to enable the user to manage content associated with the physical data model based on the logical data model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Fish, Benjamin R. Wolf, Amy M. Gilchrist, Michael D. Wolf, Daniel A. Hartley, Matthew C. Dorn
  • Patent number: 8327255
    Abstract: The present invention provides a computer program product that includes electronic transcripts, exhibits, and an association therebetween. In one example, the method includes providing one or more electronic transcript files; providing one or more exhibit files associated with the one or more electronic transcript files; and providing an executable viewer file. The transcript and exhibit image files and their association, as well as the executable viewer file, may be stored in a local, remote, or removable media. In this manner, a user can activate the viewer and view the electronic transcripts and associated exhibits without the need for any additional software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Koch, Grover Mundell
  • Patent number: 8271359
    Abstract: A device and method for permitting access to a real time data stream through prepayments or other payment arrangements and/or calculating a fee corresponding to usage of a real time data stream, wherein the real time data stream includes transcript data from a court transcription. In one example, a device may include a data collection device for receiving prepayment data, such as a code, key, token, pass that may contain purchase units therein; and a counter. In one embodiment, if the counter contains a value representing unused real time connections, then the data collection device permits the computing device to access to the real time data stream. In one example, the prepayment data includes a code containing a number representing a quantity of connections that may be made to the real time data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Grover Mundell, Kevin S. Koch
  • Patent number: 8250118
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically processing a textual document by identifying occurrences of a piece of text having a predetermined format in the textual document; determining a depth-of-treatment value for each piece of formatted text in the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value indicating a depth of treatment in the textual document afforded to the particular piece of formatted text; associating an abstract with each piece of formatted text in the textual document; and generating a data record containing each identified piece of formatted text from the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value and the abstract associated with each piece of formatted text in the textual document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest Rhoads, Daniel Gannon, Paul Werner, Steve Hestness, Kimberly Anne Kothe, Jonathan James Medin, Nick Bieter
  • Patent number: 8145675
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically processing a textual document by identifying occurrences of a piece of text having a predetermined format in the textual document; determining a depth-of-treatment value for each piece of formatted text in the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value indicating a depth of treatment in the textual document afforded to the particular piece of formatted text; associating an abstract with each piece of formatted text in the textual document; and generating a data record containing each identified piece of formatted text from the textual document, the depth-of-treatment value and the abstract associated with each piece of formatted text in the textual document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: West Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest Rhoads, Daniel Gannon, Paul Werner, Steve Hestness, Kimberly Anne Kothe, Jonathan James Medin, Nick Bieter