Patents Examined by Will Allen
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Patent number: 8170926Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for instant redirection of an online consumer from a referring website to a vendor website is disclosed. The method includes administering, via a single administrator, a plurality of referring websites in a plurality of goods and service provider categories and associating a single URL (uniform resource locator) for a client's website with at least one zip code as predetermined by the client. The method also includes automatically determining a zip code for the consumer visiting one of referring websites and comparing the zip code predetermined by the client with the consumer's zip code for a match. The method further includes instantly redirecting the consumer's browser to the client's website via the single URL when there is a match and otherwise directing the consumer's browser to a self-maintaining goods and service provider directory for a specific zip code.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Inventors: Jake Ackerman, Steven Lloyd
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Patent number: 8165920Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to provide options on products to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented system is operated that delivers to a customer an option to utilize up to n of m selected products, where m and n are whole numbers and n is less than or equal to m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can utilize said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Inventor: Sachin Goel
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Patent number: 8160936Abstract: Variants of the invention are directed to Internet-based shopping networks which provide information to consumers who desire to purchase locally-produced or locally-manufactured products or services. In one variant, an Internet-based shopping network utilizes a website home page to interface with consumers. The website home page may include consumer-oriented components such as a product search component, a product rank component and/or a product purchase component. The network may include vendor-oriented components such as hyperlinks to predetermined vendors based on products offered by the predetermined vendor and the percentage of sales that is returned by the vendor for recirculation within a local economy.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Inventors: Kamruddin Imtiaz Ali, Joan Fareeda Ali
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Patent number: 8156011Abstract: A cenotaph memorial facility comprising a plurality of walls containing crypts is dedicated to an honoree who is not interred within the facility. The facility may comprise a large external memorial structure to protect the walls and individual crypts. The cenotaph memorial facility includes a plurality of video cameras to permit remote viewing of various portions of the facility. The video cameras are controlled by a computer system that allows remote access via a network, such as the internet. An individual enters authorization data and, upon authorization, can remotely view one or more portions of the facility. An on-line auction processor can automatically conduct auctions of selected articles using a timed auction over a prolonged bidding period or a real-time auction. In another aspect, a virtual reality (VR) image capture system captures images that may be remotely viewed using VR technology. This may include 3-D imaging, holographic imaging, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Legend Memorial Cenotaphs, Inc.Inventors: Cameron Adair, Thomas T. Prousalis
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Patent number: 8156009Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to present a plurality of selectable commodity items, detect one or more selections from the plurality of commodity items, generate a list from the one or more commodity items selected, and transmit the list to a system. The system can be adapted to receive the list from the communication device, determine a selection order for the items in the list based on a location of each item in a store and at least one characteristic of at least one of the items, update the list according to the selection order, and transmit the updated list to a device for conducting commodity shopping according to the adjusted list. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Anup D. Karnalkar, R. Tyler Wallis, William S. Robbins, Susan S. Steele
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Patent number: 8145532Abstract: Sharing media content between entities. A computing device detects and connects to another computing device within a predefined proximity. Media content items and associated metadata are selected and exchanged between the connected computing devices. A subsequent purchase opportunity is provided to the users to purchase the exchanged media content items.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David Jones, Daniel Plastina, Ryan Alexander Haveson
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Patent number: 8145535Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to provide options on products to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented system is operated that delivers to a customer an option to utilize up to n of m selected products, where n is less than or equal to m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can utilize said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Inventor: Sachin Goel
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Patent number: 8145536Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for an airline to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented service is operated that delivers to a customer an option to upgrade on up to n of m selected products, where n is less than m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can be upgraded to said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Inventor: Sachin Goel
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Patent number: 8140407Abstract: A user viewing a preview of a media title using a media player can elect to add that media title to a list for future use, such as a future rentals list maintained by a rental media provider. The media player communicates with the rental media provider for updating a list for the user which is stored at (or accessible to) the provider. Optionally, a filtering capability may be provided to suppress viewing of particular previews which are stored on media inserted into the media player (for example, because the user has already rented the previewed media title, because the preview does not match filtering criteria such as parental controls, etc.). The filtering may comprise preventing media titles from being added to the future rentals list. Optionally, substitute previews may be provided for the previews which are suppressed by the filtering.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew J. Ivory, Barry J. Pellas, Matthew T. Pellas, Matthew K. Thomas
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Patent number: 8140399Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to provide options on products to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented service is operated that delivers to a customer an option to utilize up to n of m selected products, where n is less than or equal to m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n Chosen Products, whereby after each of the n Chosen Products is defined, the customer can utilize said Chosen Product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store. A computer-implemented system and method to award two or more confirmed products to a customer, where in said customer is allowed to utilize fewer than the awarded products.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Inventor: Sachin Goel
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Patent number: 8135624Abstract: Techniques for providing friction-free transactions using geolocation and user identifiers are described herein. These techniques may ascertain a user's location based on a location of a mobile device. A transaction between the user and a merchant may be completed with zero or minimal input from the user based on the geolocation of the mobile device and the user identifiers. In some implementations, a transaction initiated earlier is completed when the mobile device arrives at the merchant. Additionally, a parent-child or similar relationship may be established between multiple devices. Security on the mobile device based may be provided by biometric identification and calculation of variance from regular movement patterns. Advertisements may be sent to the mobile device based on bids from merchants near to the mobile device. Promotions may be sent to the mobile device when more than a threshold number of mobile devices are located at the same merchant.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Harsha Ramalingam, Paul J. Walsh, Michael Carr
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Patent number: 8135626Abstract: An online advertising system integrates third party agents to permit the third party agents to participate in auctions to bid on a per opportunity basis. An advertising exchange module receives requests for opportunities to serve online advertisements to users. In response, an advertising exchange module applies one or more business rules to determine third party agents that qualify to serve the online advertisement. A bid gateway module generates and transmits requests for bids to the third party agents. The bid gateway module then receives bids from the third party agents in response to the requests for bids. The advertising exchange module then selects an advertisement based on the bid. The online advertisement exchange system provides a unified marketplace to permit integrator networks to bid on both ads pursuant to guaranteed contracts and ads not subject to guaranteed contracts (e.g., non-guaranteed ads).Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.Inventors: Shirshanka Das, Sunil Nagaraj, Sangeeta Singh, Chavdar Botev
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Patent number: 8135623Abstract: A method capable of combining data signals and video signals for transmission to a video display unit. The method comprises the steps of generating a data signal, transmitting the data signal to an apparatus, receiving the data signal at the apparatus, receiving a video/audio signal at the apparatus, combining the video/audio signal with the data signal to form a single combined signal, and displaying the combined signal on a video display unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: BMG Digital Video LLCInventors: Paul M. Yarmolich, Mark Reagen
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Patent number: 8126780Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing, processing, distributing and an accompanying business model for sea algae, particularly forced cultured kombu, to prevent the expansion of global warming, by encouraging a re-purchase of the cultured sea algae, by paying the purchaser back, in a constant rate, a part of the profit from the sales of a CO2 omission right, which right depends upon the CO2 absorption and fixation ability.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Inventors: Katsumi Iwai, Hiroshi Horibata
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Patent number: 8126779Abstract: In a consumer information system, a method of comparing products and services including providing product specific information, providing merchant specific information on the specified product, providing merchant specific business information, providing product specific information collected by third parties, providing merchant specific information collected by third parties, applying weighting factors to the information provided, producing an aggregate value for each merchant based on the weighting factors as applied to the information provided, and producing a ranking of the merchants offering the specified product based on the aggregate value for each merchant. The system provides for consumers to select a set of standardized weighting factors or to modify the standardized weighting factors or to create their own weighting factors. The system provides detailed information to consumers on the breakdown of factors influencing the rating.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Inventor: William Paul Wanker
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Patent number: 8121901Abstract: Online purchasing of components compatible with particular hardware devices of a computer system. In one aspect, the identity of a hardware device capable of communicating with computer systems is automatically determined. At least one component for the hardware device is displayed on a computer system based on the identity of the hardware device such that the user can select the at least one component for purchase, where the at least one component is compatible with and for use with the hardware device.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard Blanchard, Jr., Himanshu Gupta, Howard A. Miller, Michael B. Shebanek, Brian R. Smiley, Ralph E. Zazula
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Patent number: 8121786Abstract: The invention has as its object to determine a risk of collision on the ground between an aircraft and another object. The aircraft comprises at least one proximity detector and a communication system suitable for setting up a communication among several points, at least one of the points being able to be external to the aircraft. After having received at least one indication from the proximity detector relating to the presence of an object, a signal representing an acoustic alarm linked to the detection of the object is generated then transmitted to the warning system. A comparison advantageously is made between the indication received from the proximity detector and certain parameters of the aircraft, the signal representing an acoustic alarm linked to the detection of the object being generated in response to the result of this comparison.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Joao Morbey, Mathieu Landman, Michel Colin
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Patent number: 8117084Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a phone call between a potential customer viewing information on the internet and a sales agent includes the steps of receiving a message indicating that the customer wishes to be contacted and including contact information for the customer and other information, converting at least some of the information in the message to speech, establishing a phone call to the sales agents, playing the speech to the sales agent, establishing a phone call to the customer using the contact information in the message, and bridging the first call to the second call. In some embodiments, a text message such as email or SMS is sent in addition to the phone call to the sales agent or when the phone call to the sales agent cannot be completed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Art Technology, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Siegrist
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Patent number: 8112319Abstract: A system and method for turning a buyer into a prospective seller in an electronic marketplace. After the buyer enters into a binding agreement to purchase an item, the buyer is provided with an option of re-listing the purchased item for resale. The purchased item is re-listed if the buyer opts to re-list it. An ecommerce listing to sell the purchased item is automatically generated based on the previous listing. The user only needs to provide the selling price to complete the listing. The purchased item can be re-listed in the same marketplace where the item was purchased or in a different marketplace.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Inventor: Andrew Altschuler
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Patent number: 8108263Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for grouping orders. One or more original orders are received. The one or more original orders are grouped using grouping rules to form a set of grouped orders. Upon determining that the set of grouped orders cannot be completely filled, at least one short order is created. The at least one short order is grouped with the set of grouped orders using grouping rules to form a set of consolidated orders.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ivory Wellman Knipfer, Jason Scott Lee, Matthew H. Zemke