Patents Examined by Bennett Sigmond
  • Patent number: 8386318
    Abstract: Peer to peer interactions are a popular way of social networking. Such peer to peer interactions play an important role in (a) obtaining relevant and latest information; (b) obtaining relevant experiential information; (c) obtaining of relevant opinions on, say, products; (d) collaborative problem solving, and so on. Consider a scenario of classified ads: a user visiting a portal through a mobile phone to decide on buying of a product can be well assisted by facilitating peer to peer interactions. In many situations, it is required to make the right selection of peers in order to be able to obtain the right information, and furthermore, voice is a preferred mode of interaction if mobile phones are used in peer to peer interactions. Also, in peer to peer interactions, anonymity is important in order to protect the privacy of the peers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Satyam Computer Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Sridhar Varadarajan, Srividya Gopalan
  • Patent number: 8321280
    Abstract: A computer implemented system includes a computer readable storage medium which includes historical demand data for a plurality of advertising inventories, and a processor connected to the computer readable storage medium. The processor is configured for generating a first demand forecast for a first predetermined period of time and a second demand forecast for a second predetermined period of time. The processor is configured for adjusting the first demand forecast by removing an existing demand for each of the plurality of advertising inventories, and for generating a net forecasting demand for each of the plurality of inventories for a third predetermined period of time by combining the second demand forecast and an adjusted first demand forecast. The third predetermined period of time is based on the first and second predetermined periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: WenJing Ma, Long Ji Lin, Jian Yang
  • Patent number: 8315908
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a proposed bid includes receiving an input generated by a first content provider as part of a bidding process where content providers bid for opportunities to provide content for publication. The input indicates (i) a resource for publishing first content from the first content provider and (ii) a campaign characteristic associated with the first content. The method includes determining a proposed bid for the first content provider based on the input and on historical data from the bidding process associated with the resource. The method includes presenting the proposed bid to the first content provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin Peretz, Sasank Mudunuri
  • Patent number: 8249925
    Abstract: Binary advertising markets are developed where personalized media such as digital and even analog advertising is delivered to and accessed by audience members enabling advertisers to buy advertising for broadcast to televisions, smartphones and other types of digital devices. The market is designed to provide participants a new way to have their orders entered, matched, executed, and settled, to manage and monitor risk characteristics of their content placement or advertising placement transactions, and any rights and positions that result from those transactions. Standardized units of exchange represented by profile access rights and display space access rights appropriately designed for their respective markets are used in both primary direct and secondary alternative markets. Processes are also implemented where an audience member receives economic benefit in exchange for confirming view of or rating an advertisement, or viewing advertisements while logged in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Managed Audience Share Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Todd J. Broms, Amihai Ulman
  • Patent number: 8078493
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying ads on a client-side video replay system during a pause mode. The method may comprise determining that the video replay system should enter a pause mode, obtaining an ad, and displaying the ad on a display of the video replay system during the pause mode. Determining that the system should enter pause mode may include detecting that a user has pressed a pause button located on a remote control or a display screen. The system may comprise a display, a processor, memory, and software applications configured to (i) determine that the system should enter a pause mode, (ii) obtain an ad, and (iii) display the ad on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Rosenberg, Matthew H. Self
  • Patent number: 8055537
    Abstract: A method teaches monitoring at least one printing device via a communication network. A usage profile may be received from the printing device. The usage profile may include data that reflects usage of a consumable or a number of clicks by the printing device over a period of time. The usage profile may be compared to a service history profile to create a service-dependent usage profile. If the received service-dependent usage profile satisfies a reward criterion a user of the printing device may be provided with a reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor James Snyder, Ramesh Nagarajan
  • Patent number: 7987112
    Abstract: A method of providing a discount may include monitoring at least one resource via a communication network. A usage profile may be received from the at least one resource. The usage profile may include a measurement of consumption of a consumable over a period of time for the at least one resource. A first factor may be determined based on the usage profile. A second factor may be determined based on one or more of an ownership level and a participation level of the at least one resource. A discount for a future purchase may be provided based on the first factor and the second factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Brent Rodney Jones