Patents Examined by Sun M Li
  • Patent number: 10475017
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method, a point-of-sale terminal, and a computer-readable storage medium. The point-of-sale terminal may generate transaction information for a commercial transaction, the transaction information including customer information and purchase information. The point-of-sale terminal may generate nutritional information based on the purchase information. The point-of-sale terminal may send the customer information, the purchase information, and location information identifying a location of the POS terminal to an advertising server, and may receive responsive advertising content from the advertising server. The point-of-sale terminal may print a receipt including the transaction information, the nutritional information, and the advertising content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Mobivity, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Ferro, Tariq Mufti
  • Patent number: 10475060
    Abstract: A system includes a transaction handler, a data warehouse to store transaction data recording transactions processed at the transaction handler and to store account data identifying an account of a user, and a portal to receive a user selection of a first portion of an announcement of a reward. The portal tracks user interactions associated with the announcement to determine whether the user is qualified for the reward. Upon a determination that the user has completed the user interactions for the reward, the transaction handler provides the reward to the account of the user via statement credit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Mark Carlson, Patrick Stan, John Hamilton MacIlwaine
  • Patent number: 10467720
    Abstract: Techniques related to concurrent presentation of retail facility maps are disclosed. The techniques involve acquiring tracking data relating to a location of a mobile device in a retail facility and acquiring, using for a search engine module, map data relating to a layout of the retail facility. A first map based on the map data is presented on a display of the mobile device. The first map comprises an entirety of the layout. A second map based on the map data and tracking data is concurrently presented on the display of the mobile device. The second map comprises a zoomed-in portion of the layout that is proximate to the location of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Pellow, Emily Poplawski, Stephen Aase
  • Patent number: 10445778
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system for identifying a user at a close range and an information providing system and method using the same, and more particularly to a close-range user identification system and an information providing system and method using the same, in which at least one user located at a close range visible to a client's naked eyes is searched and identified through a network or close-range communication directing, and opened information of the at least one identified user or a location-based advertisement is given to the at least one searched user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventors: Gwon Young Kim, Dong Min Shin, Dong Suk Chang, Chul Hyun Kim, Young Bae You
  • Patent number: 10445776
    Abstract: An aspect of providing user-configurable settings for web-based advertising includes creating, via a computer processor, a data structure at a client browser. The data structure is created from user-inputted subjects of interest. An aspect also includes sending, during a session between the client browser and a server from a domain, information about an availability of the data structure; and receiving an advertisement from the server based on the subjects of interest in the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tracy C. Allen, Charles J. Bryant, Ajay K. Moluguru, Eileen P. Tedesco, Cherri M. Vidmar
  • Patent number: 10445760
    Abstract: A computer system for distributing one or more functions in response to a notification includes a first server connected to a point of sale device and a second server separate from and connected to the first server. Upon reception of a notification by the first server from the point of sale device, the first server diverts the purchase notification to the second server, and distributes one or more functions to the second server to prevent the first server from slowing down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Safeway Inc.
    Inventors: David Edward Thomas, Jonathan G. Quinn, Michael Robert Minasi, Michelle Marian, Mir Mohammad Aamir, Tamara Ruth Pattison
  • Patent number: 10445781
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a transaction management computing subsystem of an advertising platform, a call for an advertisement creative to be served to an impression consumer; generating, using the transaction management computing subsystem, a set of bid requests, at least two bid requests of the set including respective subsets of user data store information associated with the impression consumer; and sending, by the transaction management computing subsystem, the set of bid requests to a set of bidding computing subsystems, each bidding computing subsystems being operable to generate a bid response based on the information included in its bid request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Xandr Inc.
    Inventors: Michiel Nolet, Charles Brian O'Kelley, Andrew S. Dilling, Frederick Bou-Hsuon Lu
  • Patent number: 10438199
    Abstract: A system includes a transaction handler configured to communicate with a first issuer processor to maintain a balance of a stored value account, store an offer in association with the stored value account and a consumer account that is under control of a second issuer processor, detect in the consumer account a transaction satisfying requirements of the offer, apply at least a portion of the balance of the stored value account to the transaction, determine a reduced transaction amount for the transaction after applying at least the portion of the balance of the stored value account to the transaction, and communicate with the second issuer processor for an authorization response for the transaction of the reduced transaction amount in the consumer account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventor: Ryan Hagey
  • Patent number: 10438237
    Abstract: An aspect of providing user-configurable settings for web-based advertising includes creating, via a computer processor, a data structure at a client browser. The data structure is created from user-inputted subjects of interest. An aspect also includes sending, during a session between the client browser and a server from a domain, information about an availability of the data structure; and receiving an advertisement from the server based on the subjects of interest in the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tracy C. Allen, Charles J. Bryant, Ajay K. Moluguru, Eileen P. Tedesco, Cherri M. Vidmar
  • Patent number: 10430798
    Abstract: A media targeting system may be configured to coordinate media and manage media conflicts in its delivery to consumers. The media targeting system may in near real-time arbitrate between all offers assigned to a particular consumer or available to the consumer via one or more channels to ensure that a consumer only receives non-conflicting offers during particular time periods. The media targeting system may translate offers into a real-time, in-store loyalty environment including consumer real-time behavior assignment into traits in order to make a real-time offer assignment based on the traits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Volpi, Satish Gopalakrishnan, Michael D. Grimes
  • Patent number: 10410259
    Abstract: A system and method for creating online advertising economies of scale by maximizing quantity, applicability, accessibility and distribution of advertisements on a webpage that includes providing a tool to reside on a webpage that presents a first tier of data to a user. Upon the user selecting one of the first tier of data, the tool may expand from a passive footprint to an active footprint presenting a second tier of data in the expanded area. The expanded area includes a first and a second frame, such that, upon selection of one of the second tier of data in either the first or second frames, third tier data overwrites the second tier data in the frame opposite the frame selected by the user. The user is then able to continue alternatingly drilling down through the frames to obtain the data desired, including integrated related advertisement in various media formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew Snow
  • Patent number: 10395275
    Abstract: A system and method of interactive, location-based presentation and advertising that enables users with wireless network addressable communications devices to control multi-media content on network addressable screens and enables marketers to track, monitor and respond to users interactions in real time. A Proxy Gateway directs a network addressable client PC, connected to a digital display, to serve local content or pull content from one or more web servers. A wireless, network addressable device, typically a mobile phone, is used to communicate commands to the physically remote Proxy Gateway. The Proxy Gateway bridges between the communications device and the display by interpreting the commands from the communications device, forwarding them to the client PC which may pull content from the appropriate web server, or display native message content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Sprinklr, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Randall, Stephen H. An, Jeffrey P. Potter
  • Patent number: 10387916
    Abstract: A method for providing a content item for display based on a relationship between a loading speed of a web page, a bandwidth of a channel between a content source and a device, and a size of the content item including receiving, from a server, a request to provide a content item for display at a device. The method further includes calculating, by one or more processors, a quality score for the content item based on a loading speed of a web page, a bandwidth of a channel between a content source and the device, and a size of the content item. The method also includes, based on the quality score, selecting the content item for presentation on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Martin Brandt Freund, Yuanying Xie
  • Patent number: 10380617
    Abstract: In one aspect, a computer implemented method is provided for the provision, on a computing apparatus, of a user interface configured via a portal to permit a merchant to define an offer campaign. The offer has a plurality of milestones required to be met in order to provide a benefit to a user. The computing apparatus may be further configured to associate the offer with a user, detect the progress of the user toward the milestone, and transmit a message to the user regarding the user's progress toward the milestone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION
    Inventors: Mark Carlson, Patrick Stan
  • Patent number: 10373194
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method defines a test group from a population of consumers that have been exposed to a communication associated with a promoted entity. The test group includes a (1) retailer profile, and (2) a first purchase amount associated with the promoted entity. The method also includes receiving purchase information associated with a third party. The purchase information includes (1) a second purchase amount associated with the promoted entity, and (2) a third purchase amount associated with the promoted entity. The method further includes defining a first multiplier based on a relationship between the first purchase amount and the second purchase amount, and defining a second multiplier based on a relationship between the first purchase amount and the third purchase amount. The method additionally includes sending a signal indicative of a combined multiplier based on (1) the first multiplier, and (2) the second multiplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Datalogix Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Opie, Audrey Lynn Thompson, Damian Vallejo Wandler, Donald Edward Hussen, II
  • Patent number: 10354250
    Abstract: An advertised incentive system receives advertised incentive configuration information provided by a merchant. The advertised incentive configuration information defines the content of advertised incentive banners. The advertised incentive banners are provided as needed to merchants to display on the merchant's website. Advertised incentive registration information is received from an account holder after the account holder interacts with the advertised incentive banner. Transaction information is received that contains a qualified purchase made by the account holder. The advertised incentive registration and the qualified purchase are matched. A statement credit is issued against the account holder's account and a debit is issued against the merchant's account in the amount of the statement credit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: John Hamilton MacIlwaine, Patrick Stan, Surendra Keshan, Mark Carlson
  • Patent number: 10354260
    Abstract: An individualized discount and reward server includes one or more linked databases storing customer data including at least one retailer account and purchase history associated with the customer. The server including a processor to allocate at least one customized offer to the retailer account using at least the purchase history associated with the customer, the at least one customized offer including a loyalty adjustment changing a general market price point of a retail product in accordance with a competitor price. The processor further displays to the customer, via the interface, a display page including the at least one customized offer and an option for selection of the at least one customized offer. The processor also updates, upon reception of the customer input indicating selection of the at least one customized offer, the retailer account to indicate selection of the at least one customized offer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Safeway Inc.
    Inventors: David Edward Thomas, Jonathan G. Quinn, Michael Robert Minasi, Michelle Marian, Mir Mohammad Aamir, Tamara Ruth Pattison
  • Patent number: 10354294
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically identifying visually sensible locations in which third-party content can be placed on a web page and configuring the web page to display third-party content at the identified locations. A processor identifies a root element of a web page within which to insert third-party content slots for providing third-party content items. The processor identifies visible content items within the root element and identifies anchorable elements within the root element around which a third-party content slot is insertable. Each of the anchorable elements corresponds to a respective identified visible content item that has bounds that extend from a first predefined region to a second predefined region of the web page. The processor determines that one or more positions relative to the identified anchorable elements are usable for inserting a third-party content slot. The processor generates a list including positions relative to the identified anchorable elements determined to be usable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Thomas James Worthington Long, Pieter Albertus Mathijs Senster
  • Patent number: 10341406
    Abstract: In one implementation a method of transmitting a multimedia file over a data network is provided that involves receiving from a device in a data network a first message in a first protocol that request first data associated with the multimedia file, the first data being useable by the device to establish a streaming session that involves a transmission of the multimedia file. The first message includes identifying data of a referring site. The method also involves transmitting to the device the first data and optionally the identifying data of the referring site and then receiving from the device a second message in a second protocol for the purpose of creating a streaming session associated with the multimedia file. A streaming session is then created for transmitting the multimedia file to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TAMIRAS PER PTE. LTD., LLC
    Inventor: Álvaro Fernández Gutiérrez
  • Patent number: 10332156
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for identifying a user by a demand side platform (DSP) across advertiser exchanges. The method includes establishing, by a DSP, a cookie mapping for a user. The cookie mapping includes a mapping of user identifiers for the user from advertisement exchanges to a user identifier assigned by the DSP for the user. The DSP stores to the cookie mapping a first mapping to the user identifier of the DSP, comprising a first user id received by a bidder from a first exchange and a first exchange id for the first exchange. A bidder inserts a pixel into a bid for an impression opportunity to a second exchange. The pixel includes a key to the cookie mapping and a second user id for the user and a second exchange id. The second user id is received by the bidder from a second exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: MediaMath, Inc.
    Inventors: Yehuda Ari Buchalter, Paul M. Mason, Joseph M. Zawadzki, Roland G. Cozzolino, Leo T. Craig