Patents Examined by Brandy Zukanovich
  • Patent number: 8799101
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for an inspection system and method that automatically photographs or captures video footage of received items for trade-in as they are being inspected or graded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Silas M. Brazil, Sandeep Bodapati, Maurice Codik Moscoso, Ranjeet S. Sonone
  • Patent number: 8768783
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transformation of submitted listings are described. An example system comprises a policy module to receive a listing describing an item for sale and to determine that the listing does not comply with one or more marketplace policies of a marketplace. The marketplace publishes listings describing items for sale, and the one or more marketplace policies are based on item characteristics or listing characteristics. A presentation module, responsive to the determination that the listing does not comply with the one or more marketplace policies, transforms the listing according to the one or more marketplace policies and publishes the transformed listing in the marketplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Farhang Kassaei
  • Patent number: 8762223
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a trading platform for selling goods using a computer system, the computer system including a communication interface configured for the exchange of information between users and the computer system via at least one communication network, a memory unit for storing information associated with a good to be sold, and a price variation unit, connected to the memory unit and the communication interface, for varying a price associated with the good as a function of time, based on a parameterized price function. The invention further relates to a trading platform, a computer program product, and a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin Erhardt
  • Patent number: 8756117
    Abstract: A single instance, multi-tenant procurement system, includes an access module to provide access to a plurality of end users associated with an organization to their respective accounts, each account being customized by a super user of the organization, a search engine to execute searches for products offered by one or more suppliers, a transaction module to process and track one or more requisitions generated by the plurality of end users, a business rules module to apply business rules established between the organization and the one or more suppliers to process the requisitions, and a data repository to store data generated on the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: SciQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Ballaro, Julie Hepner
  • Patent number: 8751332
    Abstract: A method and a system to facilitate finding a product (e.g., camera) and corresponding product accessories are described. A selection of a theme mode from a plurality of theme modes is received. A list of product models and a list of product accessory models based on the theme mode are presented. A selection of a product model combination including a product model and at least one product accessory model respectively from the list of product models and the list of product accessory models is received. A list of product combinations based on the product model combination is retrieved from a database. Each product combination include a product and at least one product accessory respectively supplied from one of product suppliers and one of product accessory suppliers. The list of product combinations may be ranked based on a sum value of a product value and at least one product accessory value in each product combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Maode Mao
  • Patent number: 8751320
    Abstract: A computing device executing a footwear sizing module receives first fit parameters of a footwear having a first footwear size. The computing device computes additional fit parameters of additional footwear sizes of the footwear based on the first fit parameters. The computing device stores the first fit parameters and the additional fit parameters of the footwear in a data store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Kemist
  • Patent number: 8744923
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for identifying recurring purchases of the same good or service based upon item-level electronic transaction data. Item-level electronic transaction data is analyzed to determine a purchase interval of a good or service. A consumer is reminded to purchase the good or service based on the determined purchase interval by receiving an electronic message at a consumer computer or mobile communication device, e.g., in the form of an electronic shopping list. Purchase intervals of different items may be determined such that a list generated at one time may include certain goods and services but a list generated at another time may include other goods and services due to the variable time between purchasing different goods and services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. McKay, Michael J. Graves
  • Patent number: 8744925
    Abstract: A system, methods, and apparatus for performing automobile transactions are disclosed. In an example embodiment, automobile market data representative of current automobile market characteristics is stored. The automobile market data may include pricing, inventory, and consumer interest information received from dealers, manufacturers, and consumers. A consumer may provide a request for a response regarding a specific automobile using an image of a vehicle identification number or a graphical user interface. Automobile market data may be provided to a dealer based on the request. Bids to sell the specific automobile may be requested from dealers based on the request. Dealer bids may be provided to the consumer with prices and a delivery options. The consumer may select a bid which specifies a pickup location at a first dealer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sidekick Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Seergy, Benjamin N. S. Brown
  • Patent number: 8732036
    Abstract: Embodiments for a supplier/buyer (S/B) network providing catalog updates are disclosed. One method includes the S/B network receiving a request for an update of product information of a catalog. The S/B network receives a profile request of at least one supplier from a buyer. The S/B network confirms that the at least one supplier supports product updates. If the at least one supplier supports product information updates, then the S/B network receives the request for a product information update from the buyer, and requests the product information update from the at least one supplier. The S/B network receives the product information update from the at least one supplier, and the S/B network updates the catalog based on the product information update.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ariba, Inc.
    Inventors: Jitesh Arya, Tejaswi Sundarram, Alex Makarweycz
  • Patent number: 8700483
    Abstract: A user communicates, such as through text, a phrase or word to quickly place and pay for an order. The phrase corresponds to details of the order and one phrase can contain orders with multiple merchants. Once the phrase is communicated, a service provider or merchant determines the order from the phrase and processes the order, which may include transmitting order details to the merchant(s) and processing the payment(s) to the merchant(s) on behalf of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: EBay Inc.
    Inventors: Ruchi Bansal, Rajesh Ramanand
  • Patent number: 8700492
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for customized product display. A data structure schema is defined for describing product graphics, such as product images, and for defining how aspects of the product graphics should be displayed. Through the use of the schema, a product manufacturer can provide product graphics to an e-commerce merchant along with product display data formatted according to the schema that provides instructions to the merchant regarding how the manufacturer prefers the product graphics to be displayed. The merchant can then utilize the product graphics and the product display data to generate a product page for the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean M. Scott
  • Patent number: 8700487
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed toward a process for a merchant inspection, where a guaranteed shopping server inspects online merchants to ensure they are reliable, financially stable, and committed to providing a great online shopping experience to the buyer/user. Next, this service monitors merchants on a regular basis, to ensure they deliver on their terms of sale, thus assuring purchasers of an overall safe online experience. Next, the guaranteed shopping service provides, a guarantee for added peace of mind for the purchaser. In accordance with one embodiment, a guarantee is provided to the buyer including ID theft protection, a purchase guarantee and a lowest price guarantee. As with other type of guarantees, certain restrictions and terms may apply. If a buyer does experience a problem with an online merchant, a benefit claim can be made and once the claim is validated, guaranteed shopping coverage can apply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Buysafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elton Grass, Michael John Beveridge, Robert Thomas Kodey, Shane Allen Lundy, Marc Morel, Kenneth Nathan Quam
  • Patent number: 8688540
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the system and method for managing sales and fulfillment services described herein may include a fulfillment coordination service. The fulfillment coordination service may be configured to receive a selection of one or more items of a merchant. The one or more items may be registered for fulfillment service with a fulfillment service provider. The fulfillment coordination service may also be configured to generate a sales listing for each selected item for listing with a sales listing provider. The fulfillment coordination service may in various embodiments receive an order indication for one or more of the selected items listed on the sales listing. The fulfillment coordination service may be configured to send a fulfillment request to the fulfillment service provider for the one or more items indicated by the order indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ankit Patel, Adam J. Kramer, Joanne J M Polsky, Nancy L. Walsh, Kyle A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 8682739
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying products in video are disclosed. A video containing at least one object is received, and video frames are extracted from the video for analysis. At least one object is extracted from one or more of the video frames to determine whether it corresponds to a product. Hyperlinks can be generated and embedded in a user interface to allow a user to purchase the product and/or retrieve additional information about the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Feinstein
  • Patent number: 8666826
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein for providing media content sharing. The concepts and technologies disclosed herein can be employed to share media content with a social network, even for content subject to access control mechanisms and/or copyright laws. According to various embodiments disclosed herein, media content can be shared with a social network, or the like. An application running at or in conjunction with a computer can obtain information relating to media content displayed at or accessible to the computer, format the data, and transmit the data to a social networking site or other location in a format appropriate for the site. Contents and technologies for viewing the shared content also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Raman Narayanan, Rajendra Vishnumurty, Russell Songco, Paresh Suthar, Suresh Babu Velagapudi, Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 8660910
    Abstract: Comparative decision systems and methods are disclosed for gathering and mining data representative of purchase decisions. One disclosed comparative decision system detects when a user is comparing items and provides the user with the ability to create a research note storing comparative information for the alternative items. The system displays information about items according to a variety of factors. The user can customize the factors and enter information for each alternative item according to the various factors. Some information may be pre-populated by the system. The research note may be made visible to other users, and may be suggested to another user based on the note's expected helpfulness and relevance to that user. One disclosed method for mining data stored within research notes identifies which factors are given higher relative priorities by users considering a purchase. Another mining method analyzes the effects of price changes on item popularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer R. Rajyaguru, Terrence R. Nightingale, Marvin M. Theimer
  • Patent number: 8660903
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing local retailers, e.g., local restaurants, a network based interactive ordering service are disclosed. The network based interactive ordering service enables local retailers to display their menu online so that electronic orders can be placed by a subscriber of the network. If a selected item is not available, the network informs the subscriber in real time and alternative selections are displayed to the subscribers. The payment for the retail order is charged against the subscriber's network account, credit card account, or prepaid account. The approximate pick up or delivery time is also given to the subscriber at the end of the ordering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 8650093
    Abstract: A system, methods, and apparatus for performing used automobile transactions are disclosed. In an example embodiment, automobile market data representative of current automobile market characteristics is stored. The automobile market data may include pricing and consumer interest information received from consumers, dealers, and manufacturers. A consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller may provide a request for a response regarding a specific used automobile with a specific a vehicle identification number. Automobile market data may be provided to a used automobile buyer based on the request. Bids to purchase the specific used automobile may be requested from used automobile buyers based on the request. Buyer bids may be provided to the consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller with prices and a delivery options. The consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller may select a bid to sell the specific used automobile based on the bid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sidekick Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Seergy, Benjamin N. S. Brown
  • Patent number: 8626603
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, transmitting registration information over a network to a registration server for registration of first media content housed in a physical medium where the first registration information is associated with a purchase of the first media content from a point of sale device of a retailer and responsive to the registration, obtaining authorization for electronic access to second media content provided by a media source, where the second media content is associated with the first media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Scott White, James Cansler, Charles V. Scott
  • Patent number: 8626604
    Abstract: A “likeness factor” indicating users' endorsements of a product is disclosed. “Likes,” “dislikes,” and other favorable or unfavorable user input for a product are collected from a website that displays the product and that logs such information. The collected information is made available on other websites displaying the product either directly or in the form of a likeness factor. The information can be aggregated from multiple websites and sources. A likeness factor for a manufacturer or other merchant is based on likeness factors for products of the manufacturer. Changes in likeness factor over time indicate a trend for products and manufacturers and can be used to predict product performance. Search results are filtered by likeness factor, and advertisements are presented based on likeness factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kawaljit Gandhi