Patents Examined by Azam A Ansari
  • Patent number: 9947021
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for identifying a service need via a promotional system, and offering the service need to a third party. Promotions may be offered via a promotional system for a consumer to purchase in exchange for a discounted product or service from a provider. Demand information, which may be collected based on promotions and/or other sources. A residual demand may be calculated based on the demand information and available inventory. The residual demand may be utilized to identify a service need. The service need may be identified in a geographic area having a similar demographic to a geographic area having an associated successful promotion. A service need may be provided to a third party or provider, and may indicate the need for a new business or expansion of a current business.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Shafiq Shariff, Tyler Jennings
  • Patent number: 9881315
    Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for a customizable redemption header for merchant offers, such as online coupons, across browser instances are provided. In some embodiments, a user may open a merchant website in a first browser instance executing on a user device. An offers website may provide offers, such as online coupons, in a second browser instance executing on a user device. When a user selects an offer, an offer identifier may be stored in a browser-accessible storage device. The modification to the browser-accessible storage may be detected and a customizable redemption header having an offer redemption identifier, e.g., a coupon code, and instructions may be provided on the merchant webpage in response to the detection. Additionally, the customizable redemption header may provide user feedback requests upon submission of the coupon code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: RetailMeNot, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas James Shiffert, Jagjit Singh Bath, Mike Paul Cravey, Greg Militello
  • Patent number: 9779427
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and systems of incentivized advertising are presented. A content identifier identifying a digital content item, such as a song, is displayed on a user computing device. The digital content item is typically of the type available for a purchase price by the general public. A selection icon is provided in visual association with the content identifier. If the icon is selected by the user, an advertisement media item, such as a video advertisement, is presented on the user computing device. If the advertisement media item is presented for at least a requisite ad impression period, the digital content item is imparted to the user for free. Follow-up ad engagement views are typically presented to the user with a button to redeem the earned digital content item. Administrator and server elements are configured to facilitate performance of the method, and to optimize efficient use of advertiser's budget.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: THNX, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy James Price, Antonina Armato, Jason Yang
  • Patent number: 9633363
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and systems of incentivized advertising are presented. A content identifier identifying a digital content item, such as a song, is displayed on a user computing device. The digital content item is typically of the type available for a purchase price by the general public. A selection icon is provided in visual association with the content identifier. If the icon is selected by the user, an advertisement media item, such as a video advertisement, is presented on the user computing device. If the advertisement media item is presented for at least a requisite ad impression period, the digital content item is imparted to the user for free. Follow-up ad engagement views are typically presented to the user with a button to redeem the earned digital content item. Administrator and server elements are configured to facilitate performance of the method, and to optimize efficient use of advertiser's budget.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: THNX, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy James Price, Antonina Armato, Jason Yang
  • Patent number: 9367856
    Abstract: Technology is described for asynchronously modifying a plurality of subaccounts. A method may include receiving an update request for an account having a running order value. An update sub-request may be sent for a subaccount of the account. Another operation may be receiving an expiration request for the subaccount with a consumed running order value. The expiration request may be applied to the subaccount when a determination has been made that the update sub-request is completed by checking the running order value against the consumed running order value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhin Hattikudru, Ajay Bhutani
  • Patent number: 8924255
    Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for light-based communication. One representative embodiment involves a messaging system that includes multiple messaging units at different locations within a commercial space, with each of such messaging units including: a light-emitting diode (LED); and a messaging/modulation controller coupled to the LED and configured to turn the LED on and off so as to broadcast a digital message, with each of the messaging units configured to broadcast a different digital message, including substantive content that is different from what is broadcast by the other messaging units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: John C. S. Koo