Patents Assigned to Yahoo ! Inc.
  • Patent number: 7941340
    Abstract: A dynamic advertisement creative is generated from a static advertisement creative. An advertisement creative is received. The advertisement creative is decompiled into a plurality of static elements. A user is enabled to select a static element of the plurality of static elements to be converted into a dynamic element. A dynamic version of the received advertisement creative is generated that includes a placeholder corresponding to the selected static element. The placeholder is configured to be dynamically populated with data. The data populating the placeholder may be dynamically selected each time the dynamic advertisement creative is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Doemling, Sumit Mishra, Prabhakar Goyal
  • Publication number: 20110106611
    Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for determining user segments to increase the reach of targeted advertisements. The user segments may be determined based on factors including an advertisement category, user interest categories, and historical advertisement performance metrics associated with performance of advertisements of a relevant category in connection with various user segments. User segments may be identified that substantially increase reach while yet being anticipated to preserve, or sufficiently preserve, advertisement performance as compared with performance associated with an initially targeted user segment. Recommendations may be provided accordingly to advertisers, or automatically provided, as well as implemented, or automatically implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Chang, Rajesh Parekh
  • Publication number: 20110107363
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for advertising in connection with a video segment. Methods are provided in which a time-spaced sequence of video overlay advertisements are displayed. Advertisements of the sequence may be user-interactive and may relate to subject matter of the video segment displayed during display of the advertisements. A later one or more advertisements of the sequence may relate to, or tie together, each of several of the preceding advertisements of the sequence, and may be provided as part of, or may help provide, a reward to the user for interaction with each of the several preceding advertisements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Mehul Sanghavi
  • Publication number: 20110106615
    Abstract: Techniques are described for selecting advertisements for display in web pages. In one aspect, a web page content characterization document may be generated that describes aspects of a web page. The web page content characterization document may be used to match advertisements for display in the web page. In another aspect, a multi-display mode advertisement object is provided. The multi-display mode advertisement object is an advertisement object that can be displayed as an advertisement in various formats, as desired for the particular web page destination location. In still another aspect, an in-linking advertisement object is provided. The in-linking advertisement object may be displayed on a web page, and when selected (e.g., clicked on), activates a link to content within the web page, rather than linking off page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Elizabeth F. Churchill, David Ayman Shamma, M. Cameron Jones
  • Patent number: 7937380
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for selecting and recommending events to a consumer of media content based on information known about the consumer, including the consumer's interests, consumption history and preferences. In an embodiment, a system records a history of the media content accessed, purchased, viewed or otherwise consumed by a consumer. The system further includes an event database containing information about upcoming events. When a consumer interacts with the system, such as to access a media content item, the consumer is notified of one or more events based on the consumer's history. In this way consumers are automatically provided with updated event recommendations based on the known interests of the consumer, without the need for the consumer to subscribe to an event recommendation service and maintain the subscription to accurately reflect the consumer's current interests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Spiegelman, William MacDonald White
  • Patent number: 7937468
    Abstract: A network device and method are directed towards detecting and blocking spam within a message by rapidly performing a predication analysis based on early received sender reputation reports. Reputation reports may be received from a plurality of users receiving messages that they interpret as either spam or non-spam. A reputation report rate prediction table is employed to predict the total number of user reports that will occur. The total number of spam reports and not spam (ham) reports for may then be used with a sender categorization model to rapidly predict whether the sender is likely to be a spammer. If the sender is determined to be a spammer, various preventative actions may be taken, including, but not limited to blocking messages from the sender to users, alerting third party filter generators of the spammer, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Miles Libbey, F. Randall Farmer, Mohammad Mohsenzadeh, Chip Morningstar, Neal Sample
  • Patent number: 7937403
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for displaying related search terms in a time sequence format. In example embodiments, a user search database, for retaining search terms that were used during specific times, may be available. The user search database may be searched to find which users have searched on a selected anchor term. The frequency of use of such anchor term may then be displayed in a time sequence format, e.g., over a week time period. The users that have used this selected anchor term may have also searched on other search terms, and the search terms that belong to a selected category of interest and were also used by the anchor term users may also be located in the user search database. These search terms from the selected category may also be displayed in a time sequence format, e.g., in the month preceding or proceeding the anchor use display's time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Kehl
  • Publication number: 20110099194
    Abstract: A structured file includes information to bind a web data source to a web data query system. Code is embedded within the structured file and is in a code language understood by the web data query system. The code is unrestricted in function. Code language objects are exposed within the web data query system for use by the code to interface with the web data query system and the web data source. A URL is associated with the structured file to enable access of the structured file through the Internet. A unit-based quota method is implemented to manage execution of code in the structured file. The unit-based quota method collapses multiple dimensions of computing resource control into a single unit value, tracks a number of units expended by the code, and stops execution of the code when the number of units expended by the code reaches a set limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Trevor, Sam Pullara, Joshua Gordineer, Nagesh Susarla
  • Publication number: 20110099059
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for click through rate prediction and advertisement selection in online advertising. Methods are provided in which output information from a feature-based machine learning model is utilized. The output information includes predicted click through rate information. The output information is used to form a matrix. The matrix is modeled using a latent variable model. Machine learning techniques can be used in determining values for unfilled cells of one or more model matrices. The latent variable model can be used in determining predicted click through rate information, and in advertisement selection in connection with serving opportunities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak K. Agarwal, Joaquin Arturo Delgado Rodriguez, Marcus Fontoura
  • Publication number: 20110099502
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for a system for querying web data includes a query entry component defined to receive textual input of a query language (QL) statement. The QL statement identifies one or more QL tables associated with one or more web data sources. The GUI also includes a results data display component defined to visually display results data obtained from execution of the QL statement present in the query entry component. The GUI further includes a QL web service universal resource locator (URL) conveyance component defined to visually and electronically convey a QL web service URL defined to access one or more QL tables identified in the QL statement through the Internet and retrieve direction from the one or more QL tables regarding access and retrieval of data from the one or more web data sources associated with the one or more QL tables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Kim, Paul Donnelly, Jonathan Trevor
  • Publication number: 20110099185
    Abstract: A web data source includes data to be queried. A query language (QL) web service is defined to expose a QL for specification of the web data source and one or more operations to be performed on the web data source. Requirements specific to the web data source for accessing and performing operations on the web data source are abstracted through the exposed QL. A QL table is associated with the web data source. The QL table is accessible through a universal resource locator (URL). The QL table includes binding data which binds the web data source to the QL web service. The binding data includes instructions to the QL web service with regard to creating URLs to access and retrieve data from the web data source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Trevor, Joshua Gordineer, Sam Pullara, Paul Donnelly, Nagesh Susarla
  • Publication number: 20110099192
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for matching sets of text to objects are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a set of text is obtained. For instance, the set of text may include a review. A numerical value is determined for each of a plurality of objects, where the numerical value indicates a likelihood that the corresponding one of the plurality of objects is a subject of the set of text. Each of the plurality of objects has an object type defined by a set of one or more attributes, each of the set of one or more attributes having associated therewith a corresponding set of one or more parameters, wherein the numerical value is determined using the set of text and a value of each of the set of one or more parameters for each of the set of one or more attributes. One of the plurality of objects that is most likely to be the subject of the set of text is identified based upon the numerical value that has been determined for each of the plurality of objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Shanmugasundaram Ravikumar, Nilesh Dalvi, Bo Pang, Andrew Tomkins
  • Publication number: 20110099464
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adding content from a search to a document or message such as an electronic mail message are disclosed. A graphical user interface may be provided, where the graphical user interface includes an input portion and a template for generating a document or message. A query including one or more search terms may be received via the input portion of the graphical user interface. Search results associated with the query may be obtained. The search results associated with the query may be provided. A user selection may be received, where the user selection selects at least a portion of the search results. A hypertext link or content from the search results may be added to a document or message generated (or being generated by) via the template, wherein the hypertext link or content from the search results is added to the document or message in response to the user selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Bijan M. Marashi, Jonathan Steven Bruck, Jonathan Katzman
  • Publication number: 20110099159
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system for web data transformation sourcing is disclosed to include a search module defined to receive a set of original input data types and a set of ultimate output data types. The search module is defined to locate one or more web based sources defined to transform the set of original input data types into the set of ultimate output data types. The search module is further defined to generate a transformation solution that when executed utilizes the one or more located web based sources to transform the set of original input data types into the set of ultimate output data types. The transformation solution is digitally conveyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Trevor, Sam Pullara, Nagesh Susarla, Paul Donnelly, Joshua Gordineer, Mirek Grymuza
  • Publication number: 20110099131
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for binary classification of items. Methods and systems are provided for constructing a machine learning-based and pairwise ranking method-based classification model for binary classification of items as positive or negative with regard to a single class, based on training using a training set of examples including positive examples and unlabelled examples. The model includes only one hyperparameter and only one threshold parameter, which are selected to optimize the model with regard to constraining positive items to be classified as positive while minimizing a number of unlabelled items classified as positive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Sundararajan Sellamanickam, Sathiya Keerthi Selvaraj, Priyanka Garg
  • Patent number: 7933884
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing information that is related to user on-line behavior, which was also used at least partly to generate user scores by one or more behavior targeting processes. A query client may select to receive information from a plurality of different data feeds that are retained within a plurality of different databases by a plurality of different behavior targeting processes. The selectable data feeds generally correspond to different types or aggregations of user on-line behavior. In certain embodiments, information from the selected data feeds for a particular user is compiled and presented in a single, interactive user interface that allows the client to easily view various aspects of such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Menezes, Jaffar Khoshgozaran
  • Patent number: 7933903
    Abstract: A computer implemented system classifies a user interaction on a network. An interface collects a user interaction data relating to a user interaction on a network. The user interaction data comprises an aggregate measure data or a unique feature data. The processor, which is connected to the interface, processes the user interaction data to generate a value score for the user interaction and determines a classification of the user interaction based on the value score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Doliov
  • Patent number: 7933899
    Abstract: A method for an online sponsored search system includes storing a database of items. At least some of the items include a keyword and a money amount associated with a respective advertiser. The method further includes receiving information about current user preferences within the online sponsored search system. When the received user information relates to a keyword of an item, the method includes automatically adjusting the money amount of the item based on the received user interest information. In response to a received user query, the method includes identifying items relating to the received user search query and generating a search result list including the related items. The method then includes ordering the related items according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the matching items. In response to the designation of a Web page to receive sponsored advertisements, the method includes identifying items relating to the subject matter of one or more portions of the Web page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20110093789
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus that detects an input focus proximate an edit area of a web page navigated to by a user of a computing device via a web browser. The edit area is configured to receive input in a particular format. The method also includes the step of displaying, on a display of the computing device, information associated with the user and maintained by a service provider, the displayed information having a format matching the particular format of input for the edit area of the web page. In one embodiment, the web page is associated with the service provider. In another embodiment, the web page is not associated with the service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Owens
  • Publication number: 20110093270
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a first syllable in a first audio of a first word and a second syllable in a second audio of a second word, the first syllable having a first set of properties and the second syllable having a second set of properties; detecting the first syllable in a first instance of the first word in an audio file, the first syllable in the first instance having a third set of properties; determining one or more transformations for transforming the first set of properties to the third set of properties; applying the one or more transformations to the second set of properties of the second syllable to yield a transformed second syllable; and replacing the first syllable in the first instance of the first word with the transformed second syllable in the audio file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Narayan Lakshmi BHAMIDIPATI