Patents Examined by John G. Weiss
  • Patent number: 9047625
    Abstract: An integrated system, network, and method for providing audio/video broadcasting of programming and advertising content. The system provides sales, traffic, playback automation, and accounting services to a media outlet. The network links multiple integrated systems together between multiple media outlets and advertising clients. The network also provides distribution of programming and advertising content to multiple media outlets simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: Brian C. Wiles
  • Patent number: 9047624
    Abstract: At times, it may be desirable to determine that a client system is, or to determine the number of client systems that are, presenting particular dynamic content when an auditable event occurs in the dynamic content. One manner of making the determination may include accessing presentation time information that indicates the time(s) at which one or more client systems present particular dynamic content and accessing event time information indicating the time(s) at which one or more auditable events occur in the dynamic particular content. Based on the presentation time information and the event time information, it may be possible to determine that a client system is, or to determine the number of client systems that are, presenting particular dynamic content when an auditable event occurs in the dynamic content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Advertising.com LLC
    Inventors: G. Thomas Des Jardins, Jeffrey Dalton Porter, Vinayak Raghuvamshi, Bryan Slavin, Paul Miller
  • Patent number: 9043860
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting advertisement keywords in association with situations of scenes of video include: establishing a knowledge database including a classification hierarchy for classifying situations of scenes of video and an advertisement keyword list, segmenting a video script corresponding to a received video in units of scenes, and determining a situation corresponding to each scene with reference to the knowledge database, and extracting an advertisement keyword corresponding to the situation of a scene of the received video with reference to the knowledge database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Hyung-dong Lee, Jung-tae Lee, Hee-seon Park, Young-in Song, Hae-chang Rim
  • Patent number: 9043223
    Abstract: Configurations for targeting nearby geographic locations for managing content are disclosed. The subject technology identifies one or more geographic locations for targeting content from a campaign for delivery to users and the campaign associated with a content sponsor. One or more geographic locations that are nearby the one or more geographic locations associated with the campaign are automatically presented to the content sponsor, including presenting candidate nearby geographic locations and estimated reach information along with each candidate geographic location. The subject technology receives a selection of one or more candidate geographic locations for inclusion in the campaign, and adds the selection to the campaign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shu Niu, Amin Charaniya, Jamie Samdal, Krzysztof Duleba, Jessica Mignone, Audrey Yang, Prabhu Balasubramanian, James Dowdell, Doris Bruneder, Aileen Tang, Smita Hashim, Ankur Gupta, Graham Jenkin
  • Patent number: 9037485
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for automatically detecting and sharing user stays of a mobile device of a user are disclosed. One method includes persistently collecting location information, determining a group of users for sharing the user stays, determining whether the mobile device is within a specific distance of a specific location for at least specific minimum duration based on the location information, determining a user stay based on the location information and the specific distance, determining if the user stay is private or public to at least a portion of the group of users based on preferences of the user and the location information, and sharing the user stay with the at least the portion of the group of users by sending notifications to the group of users if the user stay is determined to be public to the at least the portion of the group of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Alohar Mobile Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Fu, Chenyu Wang, Sam Song Liang, Jason Chalecki, David Smiddy, Marlene Wan
  • Patent number: 9031862
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide an advertisement delivery target identifying apparatus, an advertisement delivery apparatus, an advertisement delivery target identifying method, an advertisement delivery method, a program, and a recording medium that allow an advertisement effect to be increased by identifying an advertisement delivery target. An advertisement delivery target identifying apparatus includes: an image acquiring unit of acquiring an image of a person present within and outside of a visible range of an advertisement; an expected moving range calculating unit of calculating an expected moving range in future of the person from the image; a score calculating unit of calculating a score based on a relationship between the visible range of an advertisement and the calculated expected moving range; and an advertisement delivery target identifying unit of identifying a person to be a target of an advertisement to be delivered based on the calculated score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Solution Innovators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuriko Hiyama, Tomoyuki Oosaka, Kazuya Ueki
  • Patent number: 9031863
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for facilitating contextual selection of advertisements for displaying online via a computer network. In general, user features in the form of text are provided in conjunction with web page content for contextual advertisement matching. In one embodiment, a request for an advertisement to be displayed in a current web page that has been requested by a current user is received. The current user is associated with one or more current user characteristics from a plurality of different user characteristics, and the current web page has an associated content. A mapping model and the one or more current user characteristics are used to obtain a plurality of user-relevant terms for each of the one or more current user characteristics. A combination of the content of the current web page and obtained user-relevant terms are provided for selecting an advertisement for displaying with the current web page based on such combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham H. Bagherjeiran, Andrew O. Hatch, Adwait Ratnaparkhi, Amruta S. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9020833
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for engaging consumers in the performance of predetermined action. The method comprises the steps of determining performance of a predetermined action, broadcasting confirmation of performance of the predetermined action, and providing incentive based upon the broadcasting. The predetermined action may include comprises consuming a consumable item. The broadcasting may be performed via a social networking site, and wherein the broadcasting further may include transmitting a video of the performance of the predetermined action. The incentive may comprise a monetary incentive to the performer of the action, to one or more peers of the performer of the action viewing the broadcast, or to one or more peers of the performer of the action upon performance of the predetermined action by the one or more peers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: AIC Innovations Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Hanina
  • Patent number: 9020835
    Abstract: A social networking system extends the reach of an ad by allowing an advertiser to seed a search for suggesting targeting criteria for an ad. Using the seeds, the social networking system identifies a set of seed objects from a social graph. The social networking system traverses the social graph to compute the similarity between the seed objects and candidate objects related to the seed objects. Based on the computed similarity, the social networking system suggests a set of target objects to the advertiser. The social networking system receives a selection of one or more target objects from the advertiser. From the selected target objects the social networking system determines one or more targeting criteria for the ad, so users with an edge in the social graph to any of the selected target objects are eligible to receive the ad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Ding Zhou
  • Patent number: 9020834
    Abstract: A method of providing targeted communications within a hyper-local domain from a first user to a second user, the method including receiving a communication from a first device, the first communication related to the hyper-local domain, receiving an input from a second device, comparing the input to the communication, and transmitting the communication to the second device, a third device, or combinations thereof, based on the comparing of the input to the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Shanmuganathan Gnanasambandam, Michael R. Furst, Naveen Sharma
  • Patent number: 9002731
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention include the use of a guaranteed cognitive awareness coupled with an individualized sequential advertising campaign directed at a specific user. A user may be offered services such as: telecommunication services, video services, radio or other audio services (traditional radio or satellite radio services), television services (traditional cable or satellite television services), software services, electronic book services, etc. In return for the use of such services free of charge, the services may be periodically interrupted and a commercial message may be conveyed to the user. The commercial message may prompt the user to input a specific value, selection, or keystroke, or may require a response through voice input or selection with a device. Should the user provide the response, the provision of services may continue. Moreover, the commercial messages provided to the user may presented as an individual sequential advertising campaign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Papatel, Inc.
    Inventor: Enrique A. Baiz Matuk
  • Patent number: 9002728
    Abstract: A campaign offers and rewards system includes an offer serving engine, and an analytics engine with data intelligence. The analytics engine compares information about similar goods or services sold by different entities, manufacturers or service providers to create product and service categories. A redemption engine is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dropbox, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Carpenter, Erik Klein, George O'Brien, Franck Chastagnol, Jitendra Vaidya, Jack Tihon
  • Patent number: 8990105
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for targeting advertisements based on user search information are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Magnetic Media Online, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua B. Shatkin-Margolis, Niels J. Meersschaert
  • Patent number: 8990107
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for automatically determining user stays of a user of a mobile device are disclosed. One embodiment includes a network server operative to receive sensed location information of a mobile device. Further, the network server and/or a controller of the mobile device are operative to determine the mobile device is within a specific distance of a specific location for at least specific minimum time duration based on the location information, determine a start time of a user stay based on the location information, the specific location and the specific distance, and determine an end time of the user stay based on the location information, the specific location and the specific distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alohar Mobile Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Song Liang, Huan Chang, Jun Yang, Zhigang Liu, Yun Fu, Chenyu Wang, Ying Chang
  • Patent number: 8983861
    Abstract: Various embodiments pertain to generating and causing display of a bridge page responsive to a user request for an advertiser's web page when the web page resolution is higher than the screen resolution of the user's device. The bridge page can be, for example, a lower resolution summary of content included on the web page. In various embodiments, the bridge page is generated and hosted by an ad platform server rather than the advertiser server. In at least some embodiments, the bridge page is stored in a database and can be served from the database responsive to subsequent requests for the advertiser's web page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Xingtao Wei
  • Patent number: 8977559
    Abstract: An interactive direct response system combines the use of short text message systems transmitted via GSM-SMS enabled cell phones with a database and website to enable advertisers to view in real time customer responses to a direct response campaign. Customers are invited to respond to a defined advertisement on for example a billboard by responding to a single telephone number associated with the website by sending a text message linked to that particular advertisement, i.e. a single word. A computer receives and analysis the responses and sends an acknowledgement message to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Zyzeba Holding Limited
    Inventor: Glen David Smith
  • Patent number: 8977560
    Abstract: Methods and systems to identify a user across multiple browsers and machines are described. In some embodiments, a web request is received at a retrieval service from a browser. The web request may include a request to access a retrieval service website of the retrieval service and may be initiated by a redirection of the browser from a requesting service to the retrieval service. A unique identifier associated with a user logged in to an account of the retrieval service may be determined. The user may be logged in to the account via the browser. A redirect request is sent from the retrieval service to the browser. The redirect may include the unique identifier and may redirect the browser from the retrieval service website to the requesting service. The unique identifier may be used by the requesting service to perform additional functionality specific to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Srinivasan Raman
  • Patent number: 8972278
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable and executable instructions are provided for recommending print locations. Recommending print locations can include receiving recommendation, user, and geographic information for a first mobile print location (MPL) and a second MPL. Recommending print locations can also include indexing the recommendation, user, and geographic information for each of the first MPL and the second MPL as an automatically created uniform resource indicator (URI) on an MPL system. Furthermore, recommending print locations can include ranking the first MPL and the second MPL based on the recommendation, user, and geographic information and presenting a list, via a user interface, of the ranked first MPL and the second MPL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Sandholm, Jose Diego Ferreira Martins, Deny Joao Correa Azzolin
  • Patent number: 8972282
    Abstract: A method for websites to be transformed and repurposed into other forms of design, use, and functions for other purposes, to benefit the original websites, website purposes, and owners of websites. A user would first speak or type into a computer. The GUI is a website campaign manager located on/at a website URL. A user creates a campaign and submits their website URL. The system then information form the website or uses that entered by a user. A data processor module, running on a computer or equivalent machine, assembles the extracted information. The system provides a language selection option where the final product can be created using one or more languages and then published, publically or privately, printed, and submitted for creation. A website campaign or advertisement is created along with a complementary website search software application, which can later be edited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Adopt Anything, Inc.
    Inventors: David Valin, Alex Socolof
  • Patent number: 8972279
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for matching audio advertisements to items on a shopping list in a mobile device. Audio advertisements are matched to items on a shopping list by obtaining the shopping list from a mobile device of the user; applying a speech recognizer to at least one audio advertisement detected on a microphone of the mobile device; identifying one or more key words in the at least one audio advertisement; comparing the one or more identified key words to one or more items on the shopping list stored on the mobile device; and storing the information related to the at least one advertisement if the one or more identified key words match the one or more items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan G. Cole, Siddique A. Mohammed, Victor S. Moore, Dhandapani Shanmugam