Patents Examined by William Allen
  • Patent number: 8676668
    Abstract: A population activity mapping method may include detecting a plurality of wireless mobile devices within a geographic region. Individual wireless mobile devices may include a processor, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. The detecting operation may be performed by use of a wireless access point, a GPS satellite, and/or a base station, and may be performed at at least two different points in time. Input data may be provided based upon the detecting operation. A distance and speed at which the mobile devices travel within the geographic region may be discerned dependent upon the input data. The discerning operation is performed by at least one processor of a computer network. A time and/or location at which salable output is to be made available and/or an amount of salable output to be made available may be determined dependent upon the discerning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8660907
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining motivator counts associated with purchase selections are presented herein. A data store can be configured to store purchase selections of respective products. A server can be configured to determine an incremental purchase time between a first purchase selection of the purchase selections and a second purchase selection of the purchase selections. Further, the server can be configured to determine a standard deviation of incremental purchase times between respective purchase selections of the purchase selections. Furthermore, the server can be configured to increment a prime motivator count associated with the second purchase selection based on the incremental purchase time and the standard deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Meyer Cordless LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Fuisz, Joseph M. Fuisz
  • Patent number: 8655746
    Abstract: In a remote communication environment, a method for real-time presentation of information to one or more users accessing one or more websites using an electronic communications device. Various aspects of the method comprise at least the following. Communication is established via the electronic communications device between the user and the website to conduct one or more primary transactions. One or more electronic identifiers associated with the user are obtained. One or more further or additional data elements related to the user are obtained from a third party using the at least one electronic identifier. Based at least on the electronic identifier and the further data element, the information is selected for presentation to the user in real time with the primary transaction. The information is presented to the user in real time with the primary transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tuxis Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David C. Mussman, Rocco L. Adornato, Thomas B. Barker, Ronald A Katz, Gary L. West
  • Patent number: 8655582
    Abstract: A route may be created and provided to a client. A stopping point along the route is received, and a search is performed for at least one point of interest according to the stopping point. Further, a route is created and provided to a client, and at least one stopping point associated with the route is identified based on at least one of a distance along the route, an indication of a place on a map, a category search, and a key word search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Philbin, Hannah Youngsil Moon
  • Patent number: 8650090
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Exp Commerce Dot Com Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew Altschuler
  • Patent number: 8645225
    Abstract: Enabling a supplier is disclosed. An indication of a transaction associated with a business process between a buyer and a supplier is received. A supplier enablement action is initiated in response to receiving the indication. The supplier enablement action is associated with enabling the supplier to join a supplier network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ariba, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Michael Federighi, Steven Carlyle Ihde, Sanish Mondkar, Mohak Shroff
  • Patent number: 8630915
    Abstract: This document relates to classification of items included in a data feed. For example, a feed of items is generated for provision to a referral network site. The feed includes some of the items sold through an electronic commerce network site. Item classification information corresponding to an item sold through the electronic commerce network site is identified based upon the taxonomy information of the referral network site and included in the generated feed of items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Jeetendra Mirchandani, Matias H. Ganc, Mohit Gupta, Simon C. Vining
  • Patent number: 8626607
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments relating to generating media item recommendations based upon determining a beats per minute value. A media recommendation application determines a beats per minute value based upon the activity of a user. The media recommendation application then identifies one or more media item candidates having a number of beats per minute within a predefined delta of the beats per minute value. The media recommendation application then filters out the media items possessed and information associated with the user to identify a subset of the media item candidates to surface as recommendations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Wood, Patrick C. Teo, Benjamin L. Shepherd, Korwin J. Smith, Scott Durham, Piragash Velummylum, Emily J. Butler
  • Patent number: 8626600
    Abstract: Methods and systems to generate and manage an item trading card are provided. A method may include providing an interface to access an item trading card associated with an item, and generating the item trading card including an item identifier associated with the item, a trading card identifier associated with the trading card, item data about the item, and market data about the item. The method further includes sharing the item trading card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yankovich, Ryan Melcher, Robert Veres
  • Patent number: 8620772
    Abstract: Arrangements involving portable devices (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) are disclosed. One arrangement enables a content creator to select software with which that creator's content should be rendered—assuring continuity between artistic intention and delivery. Another utilizes a device camera to identify nearby subjects, and take actions based thereon. Others rely on near field chip (RFID) identification of objects, or on identification of audio streams (e.g., music, voice). Some technologies concern improvements to the user interfaces associated with such devices. Others involve use of these devices in connection with shopping, text entry, sign language interpretation, and vision-based discovery. Still other improvements are architectural in nature, e.g., relating to evidence-based state machines, and blackboard systems. Yet other technologies concern use of linked data in portable devices—some of which exploit GPU capabilities. Still other technologies concern computational photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: Jerrine K. Owen
  • Patent number: 8615449
    Abstract: Gifting of virtual items between users of a virtual space may be facilitated. A purchase interface may be presented to a first user. The purchase interface may be configured to receive selection from the first user of (i) a virtual item for purchase, and (ii) one or more users with which the first user has established a virtual space relationship. Responsive to selection by the first user through the purchase interface of a first virtual item and a second user with which the first user has established a virtual space relationship, the first virtual item may be distributed to the second user in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Navendu Chandra, Bryan Schwab, Schubert Lobo
  • Patent number: 8615448
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments relating to generating profile-based item suggestions from a stylist when purchasing items through an electronic commerce system. A network page is rendered in a client computing device comprising an input field to input descriptions of items the user wishes to purchase and a stylist profile selection mechanism to select a suggested stylist profile. The user inputs descriptions of items and selects the suggested stylist profile. An item suggestions request comprising the item descriptions and the selected stylist profile is sent from the client computing device to a server computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer R. O'Twomney, Maren Marie Costa, Aaron M. Donsbach, Marina A. Pai, Sean M. Scott, Devraj Varadhan, Anoop Balakrishnan, Ryuichi Hirano
  • Patent number: 8612300
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods, systems and apparatus for a buyer/supplier network aiding supplier enablement through creation of a requisition between a buyer and a supplier are disclosed. One method includes receiving, by the buyer/supplier network, a collaboration request for information about a good or service being purchased by a buyer. At least one supplier is identified from an approved supplier list that has the requested information. An account is created for each of the identified suppliers on the buyer/supplier network, and an invitation is sent to each of the suppliers to join the buyer/supplier network. Each of the invited suppliers is allowed to log into the buyer/supplier network through the invitation, and address the request for information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ariba, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Tung, Manju Prasad Subbanna, Sanish Mondkar
  • Patent number: 8612306
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for related search suggestions for products. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a query for searching documents wherein the query specifies a first product. A number of occurrences of the first product in a plurality of prior queries of the documents submitted by users is determined. A product category for the first product is determined based on one or more attributes associated with the first product, the category having a predetermined plurality of category attributes. A suggested product is selected wherein the suggested product is associated with attributes that satisfy the category attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Rajat Mukherjee, Abhinandan S. Das, Jennifer Liu Low, Dan Moisa
  • Patent number: 8606654
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for facilitating gift registry. A variety of systems are provided which make registering for gifts more efficient for consumers and retailers. These systems include an express registration card system and a reverse registry system. The methods associate the various systems with a common registry number. The express registration card system enables a registrant to register for gifts without requiring identification information first be given. The reverse registry enables registration of items already owned in order to inform potential gift givers of preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: AMS, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Veeneman, Kathleen M. Veeneman
  • Patent number: 8595091
    Abstract: Gifting of virtual items between users of a virtual space may be facilitated. A purchase interface may be presented to a first user. The purchase interface may be configured to receive selection from the first user of (i) a virtual item for purchase, and (ii) one or more users with which the first user has established a virtual space relationship. Responsive to selection by the first user through the purchase interface of a first virtual item and a second user with which the first user has established a virtual space relationship, the first virtual item may be distributed to the second user in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Navendu Chandra, Bryan Schwab, Schubert Lobo
  • Patent number: 8595084
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to monitor an activity level with respect to queries submitted to an online marketplace over a certain time period to calculate an activity rate, to determine that a predicted change in the activity rate has crossed a specified threshold rate, and to display a landing page identifying at least one of items or item groups associated with the queries on a display based on the determining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Sunil Mohan
  • Patent number: 8595088
    Abstract: A system and method for providing customized or personalized memorabilia to end users, wherein the system allows the price for the customized or personalized memorabilia to be established by obtaining the lowest production costs from approved vendors, and further allowing such costs to be offset by any sponsorship underwriting of the memorabilia. The system further allows establishment of advertising to target demographic audiences by underwriting customized or personalized memorabilia orders and placing advertising indicia for the sponsor on or with the ordered customized or personalized memorabilia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Apparel Media Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerry A Hays
  • Patent number: RE44684
    Abstract: A system and method for distribution of content items, such as video or other files, can provide for adjustable pricing for access to a content item based on the popularity of the content item. The price for access can be calculated by adjusting a base access price that is determined based on how many times the content item has been accessed. The adjustment can utilize rating and review data received from users who have previously accessed the content item. In some embodiments, rating and review data is withheld from disclosure during a hold-back period whereby the quality of a user's rating can be evaluated by comparing it to other ratings received during the hold-back period. Other incentives can be provided to drive viewing and reviewing content items by providing discounts for users that provide positively-rated reviews.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Qurio Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Patricia Scardino
  • Patent number: RE44749
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Legend Memorial Cenotaphs, Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron Adair, Thomas T. Prousalis