Patents by Inventor Charles S. Wurster
Charles S. Wurster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10360593Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for presenting marketing information to a customer based on proximity to marketing areas. A wireless identity transmitter associated with the customer may periodically transmit wireless broadcast messages that include obscured identifiers. A proximity broadcast receiver within a retail store, such as near a product display or aisle, may receive and relay the broadcast messages to a server which may process the included information. Based on proximity information and other conditions, the server may transmit marketing information relevant to the customer and a proximate marketing area, such as coupons and offers. In an embodiment, the server may store data based on broadcast messages that may indicate foot traffic and other information valuable to merchants. The server may also transmit messages based on stored permissions that indicate whether the customer desires to receive marketing information and whether the server is authorized to provide the customer's identity to merchants.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Kevin E Hunter, Stephen A Sprigg, Neville J Meijers, Charles S Wurster, Paul E Jacobs
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Patent number: 9894592Abstract: A beacon wireless transmits a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier. A portion of the data packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions. The receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window. Thereafter, the receiver is activated during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Gimbal, Inc.Inventor: Charles S. Wurster
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Patent number: 9681420Abstract: Data is received that specifies at least one beacon associated with a first account and a first validity window specifying a time period during which the at least one beacon is to be associated with an additional account. Thereafter, a first entitlement is generated which, when registered by a second account, causes the at least one beacon to be associated with the second account until expiration of the first validity window. Prior to registration of the first entitlement and additionally outside the first validity window the at least one beacon is associated solely with the first account. After the registration of the first entitlement, the at least one beacon is caused to be associated with the second account during the first validity window. Other types of sharing parameters are also available such as sequencing, subsets of beacons, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Gimbal, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Wurster, Kevin Hunter, Daniel V. Waters, Jose R. Menendez, Marcie Gately
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Publication number: 20170070847Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for locating a wireless identity transmitter with a central server connected with one or more proximity broadcast receivers, such as stationary receivers or mobile devices operating as wireless receivers. The wireless identity transmitter may be a compact device configured to broadcast messages, such as through Bluetooth® advertisements, including an identification code. When within proximity, a proximity broadcast receiver may receive broadcast messages from the wireless identity transmitter and relay location information along with the wireless identity transmitter's identification code to a central server as sighting messages. The proximity broadcast receiver's own location may provide an approximate location for the wireless identity transmitter. The central server may process sighting messages, which may include signal strength information, to accurately locate the wireless identity transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Steven R. Altman, Stephen A. Sprigg, Liz Gasser, Joel Linsky, Leif Woodahl, Jason Kenagy, Jose Menendez, Charles S. Wurster, Paul Jacobs, Neville Meijers, Peggy Johnson, Dave Wise, Kevin Hunter
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Publication number: 20170034259Abstract: A server receives data from each of a plurality of code instances that characterize a location of an associated client device executing the corresponding code instance and comprising a unique instance identification (IID) that identifies such code instance. Thereafter, it can be determined, using a clustering model and based on the received data, which of the code instances are likely to be associated with each other. Next, each code instance can be grouped into one of a plurality of the groups based on the determination. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Kevin Hunter, Charles S. Wurster, Jose R. Menendez
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Patent number: 9544075Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for locating a wireless identity transmitter with a central server connected with one or more proximity broadcast receivers, such as stationary receivers or mobile devices operating as wireless receivers. The wireless identity transmitter may be a compact device configured to broadcast messages, such as through Bluetooth® advertisements, including an identification code. When within proximity, a proximity broadcast receiver may receive broadcast messages from the wireless identity transmitter and relay location information along with the wireless identity transmitter's identification code to a central server as sighting messages. The proximity broadcast receiver's own location may provide an approximate location for the wireless identity transmitter. The central server may process sighting messages, which may include signal strength information, to accurately locate the wireless identity transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Steven R Altman, Stephen A Sprigg, Liz Gasser, Joel Linsky, Leif Woodahl, Jason Kenagy, Jose Menendez, Charles S Wurster, Paul Jacobs, Neville Meijers, Peggy Johnson, Dave Wise, Kevin Hunter
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Publication number: 20160269970Abstract: A beacon wireless transmits a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier. A portion of the data packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions. The receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window. Thereafter, the receiver is activated during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventor: Charles S. Wurster
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Publication number: 20160050645Abstract: Data is received that specifies at least one beacon associated with a first account and a first validity window specifying a time period during which the at least one beacon is to be associated with an additional account. Thereafter, a first entitlement is generated which, when registered by a second account, causes the at least one beacon to be associated with the second account until expiration of the first validity window. Prior to registration of the first entitlement and additionally outside the first validity window the at least one beacon is associated solely with the first account. After the registration of the first entitlement, the at least one beacon is caused to be associated with the second account during the first validity window. Other types of sharing parameters are also available such as sequencing, subsets of beacons, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Charles S. Wurster, Kevin Hunter, Daniel V. Waters, Jose R. Menendez, Marcie Gately
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Patent number: 9107152Abstract: A beacon wireless transmits a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier. A portion of the data packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions. The receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window. Thereafter, the receiver is activated during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Gimbal, Inc.Inventor: Charles S. Wurster
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Patent number: 8990556Abstract: Data is received that specifies at least one beacon associated with a first account and a first validity window specifying a time period during which the at least one beacon is to be associated with an additional account. Thereafter, a first key is generated which, when registered by a second account, causes the at least one beacon to be associated with the second account until expiration of the first validity window. Prior to registration of the first key and additionally outside the first validity window the at least one beacon is associated solely with the first account. After the registration of the first key, the at least one beacon is caused to be associated with the second account during the first validity window. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Gimbal, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Wurster, Jose R. Menendez
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Patent number: 8972318Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices use search terms, current state information, historical data, and expected location hints to predict where a user may be when a search may be relevant. In an embodiment, search terms entered on a first user computing device may be combined with location information resident on a second user computing device to determine where a user is likely to be and what results are likely to be relevant to a user in the future. In a further embodiment, relevant search terms indicative of time, such as “tomorrow” or “tonight,” and/or user-related information may also be used to return predictive search results. In a further embodiment, user-related information from other users may also be used to return predictive search results.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Yashwanth Prakash, Charles S. Wurster, Eric P. Bilange
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Publication number: 20140133656Abstract: Methods, systems and devices enable synchronizing obscured identification information between a wireless identity transmitter and a central server to support one-way communication of the obscured identification information to the central server. The wireless identity transmitter may be a compact device configured to broadcast messages, such as through Bluetooth® advertisements, including an obscured identifier for receipt and relay to the central server by proximate proximity broadcast receivers via sighting messages that may also include location information. The central server may decode received identification codes to identify the wireless identity transmitter. The wireless identity transmitter may create message data by concatenating identifying information with an incrementing nonce, encrypting the concatenated information, and truncating the encrypted information.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Charles S. Wurster, Ning Shang, Panagiotis Thomas, Stephen A. Sprigg, Matthew Hohlfeld, Ivan Hugh Mclean
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Publication number: 20130325780Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices use search terms, current state information, historical data, and expected location hints to predict where a user may be when a search may be relevant. In an embodiment, search terms entered on a first user computing device may be combined with location information resident on a second user computing device to determine where a user is likely to be and what results are likely to be relevant to a user in the future. In a further embodiment, relevant search terms indicative of time, such as “tomorrow” or “tonight,” and/or user-related information may also be used to return predictive search results. In a further embodiment, user-related information from other users may also be used to return predictive search results.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Yashwanth Prakash, Charles S. Wurster, Eric P. Bilange
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Publication number: 20130282438Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for providing relevant user information to devices within proximity of a user. A wireless identity transmitter associated with the user periodically broadcasts messages that include obscured identifiers. A proximate proximity broadcast receiver may receive and relay the broadcast messages to a central server which may process the included information. Based on categories related to the proximity broadcast receiver and the user, the central server may identify subsets of stored profile information about the user that are relevant to the proximity broadcast receiver. The central server may transmit relevant profile information to devices to assist in activities associated with the proximity broadcast receiver. In an embodiment, the central server may only transit relevant profile information that is authorized by the user via permissions associated with the profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Kevin E. Hunter, Stephen A. Sprigg, Neville J. Meijers, Charles S. Wurster, Jose R. Menendez, Michael-David N. Canoy