Patents by Inventor David Zito

David Zito 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).

  • Patent number: 9169959
    Abstract: A universal tablet and smart phone holder includes an enlarged soft core, an upper tip section; an elongate spine element extending at least partially through the soft core and to the tip section. A flexible cover is disposed about the soft core, spine element and tip section. The spine element and tip section are operable to bend and rotate such that when a tablet or smartphone is placed into the novel holder, a bottom edge of the tablet is supported by the soft core, and an upper edge of the media device held by the tip section such that the media device is firmly secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: David Zito
    Inventors: David Zito, Grant J. Stafford
  • Publication number: 20150120449
    Abstract: System and method for presenting search results. Search results may be mixed and/or prioritized based on one or more criteria. Search results may be mixed and/or prioritized based on user profile data, preferred advertiser/merchant rankings or a combination thereof. Search results may presented to a viewer on a display device simultaneously along with broadcast and/or streaming content. The search results may be “pushed” to a client-side device and presented along with related broadcast content. Alternatively, the search results may be based on one or more user-provided search criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Patent number: 8930358
    Abstract: System and method for presenting search results. Search results may be mixed and/or prioritized based on one or more criteria. Search results may be mixed and/or prioritized based on user profile data, preferred advertiser/merchant rankings or a combination thereof. Search results may presented to a viewer on a display device simultaneously along with broadcast and/or streaming content. The search results may be “pushed” to a client-side device and presented along with related broadcast content. Alternatively, the search results may be based on one or more user-provided search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20140291469
    Abstract: A universal tablet and smart phone holder includes an enlarged soft core, an upper tip section; an elongate spine element extending at least partially through the soft core and to the tip section. A flexible cover is disposed about the soft core, spine element and tip section. The spine element and tip section are operable to bend and rotate such that when a tablet or smartphone is placed into the novel holder, a bottom edge of the tablet is supported by the soft core, and an upper edge of the media device held by the tip section such that the media device is firmly secured thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: David Zito, Grant J. Stafford
  • Patent number: 8732747
    Abstract: System and method for providing time-based content. In one embodiment, time-based offers are presented to viewers of broadcast content, and may be presented on the same display device being used to display broadcast programming. In another embodiment, time-based offers are commercial offers inviting the viewer to purchase goods or services at a special rate for a limited time. Time-based offers may also be customized based on programming content being viewed and/or viewer profile data. Responses to presented time-based offers may be used to update viewer profile data and/or merchant conversion profile data, which is a measure of how effective the particular offer is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20140130088
    Abstract: System and method for providing time-based content. In one embodiment, time-based offers are presented to viewers of broadcast content, and may be presented on the same display device being used to display broadcast programming. In another embodiment, time-based offers are commercial offers inviting the viewer to purchase goods or services at a special rate for a limited time. Time-based offers may also be customized based on programming content being viewed and/or viewer profile data. Responses to presented time-based offers may be used to update viewer profile data and/or merchant conversion profile data, which is a measure of how effective the particular offer is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Patent number: 8250599
    Abstract: System and method for providing time-based content. In one embodiment, time-based offers are presented to viewers of broadcast content, and may be presented on the same display device being used to display broadcast programming. In another embodiment, time-based offers are commercial offers inviting the viewer to purchase goods or services at a special rate for a limited time. Time-based offers may also be customized based on programming content being viewed and/or viewer profile data. Responses to presented time-based offers may be used to update viewer profile data and/or merchant conversion profile data, which is a measure of how effective the particular offer is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20120192228
    Abstract: System and method for providing time-based content. In one embodiment, time-based offers are presented to viewers of broadcast content, and may be presented on the same display device being used to display broadcast programming. In another embodiment, time-based offers are commercial offers inviting the viewer to purchase goods or services at a special rate for a limited time. Time-based offers may also be customized based on programming content being viewed and/or viewer profile data. Responses to presented time-based offers may be used to update viewer profile data and/or merchant conversion profile data, which is a measure of how effective the particular offer is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20110282902
    Abstract: A search-enabled remote control device to facilitate viewers' ability to search through programming and/or content options and view results. In one embodiment, a viewer is able to use a traditional remote control interface to navigate through menus or selections and to display search results on screen. In another embodiment, a viewer's watching behavior and/or searching habits are tracked by the search-enabled remote control and used to develop a viewer profile, which may in turn be used to target advertisements, information and/or future programming options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Patent number: 8015184
    Abstract: A search-enabled remote control device to facilitate viewers' ability to search through programming and/or content options and view results. In one embodiment, a viewer is able to use a traditional remote control interface to navigate through menus or selections and to display search results on screen. In another embodiment, a viewer's watching behavior and/or searching habits are tracked by the search-enabled remote control and used to develop a viewer profile, which may in turn be used to target advertisements, information and/or future programming options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20080150453
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a candle emulation device comprises a light source, a light source controller and an aerosol-based fragrance-release mechanism. The light source controller is coupled to the light source and is adapted to control the light source in order to produce a lighting effect that emulates lighting from a candle flame. The aerosol-based fragrance-release mechanism is adapted to release a fragrance into the air surrounding the candle emulation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: ENCHANTED LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Medley, Michael Boone, Kurt Campbell, David Zito
  • Publication number: 20070127249
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a candle emulation device comprises a light source, a light source controller and an optional fragrance-release mechanism. The light source controller is coupled to the light source and is adapted to control the light source in order to produce a lighting effect that emulates lighting from a candle flame. The fragrance-release mechanism is adapted to release a fragrance into air surrounding the candle emulation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Medley, Michael Boone, Kurt Campbell, David Zito
  • Publication number: 20060125420
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a candle emulation device comprises a light source, a light source controller and an optional fragrance-release mechanism. The light source controller is coupled to the light source and is adapted to control the light source in order to produce a lighting effect that emulates lighting from a candle flame. The fragrance-release mechanism is adapted to release a fragrance into air surrounding the candle emulation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Boone, Kurt Campbell, Mark Medley, David Zito
  • Publication number: 20060095412
    Abstract: System and method for presenting search results. Search results may be mixed and/or prioritized based on one or more criteria. Search results may be mixed and/or prioritized based on user profile data, preferred advertiser/merchant rankings or a combination thereof. Search results may presented to a viewer on a display device simultaneously along with broadcast and/or streaming content. The search results may be “pushed” to a client-side device and presented along with related broadcast content. Alternatively, the search results may be based on one or more user-provided search criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20060090183
    Abstract: A search-enabled remote control device to facilitate viewers' ability to search through programming and/or content options and view results. In one embodiment, a viewer is able to use a traditional remote control interface to navigate through menus or selections and to display search results on screen. In another embodiment, a viewer's watching behavior and/or searching habits are tracked by the search-enabled remote control and used to develop a viewer profile, which may in turn be used to target advertisements, information and/or future programming options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20060090185
    Abstract: System and method for providing time-based content. In one embodiment, time-based offers are presented to viewers of broadcast content, and may be presented on the same display device being used to display broadcast programming. In another embodiment, time-based offers are commercial offers inviting the viewer to purchase goods or services at a special rate for a limited time. Time-based offers may also be customized based on programming content being viewed and/or viewer profile data. Responses to presented time-based offers may be used to update viewer profile data and/or merchant conversion profile data, which is a measure of how effective the particular offer is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20060090184
    Abstract: System and method for presenting information. In one embodiment, viewers watching behavior and/or searching habits may be tracked and used to develop a viewer profile. This view profile may then be used to target advertisements, information and/or future programming options to the viewer. Commercial items may also be targeted to the individual user based on such television viewing and/or searching habits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas
  • Publication number: 20050187818
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods and systems for facilitating transactions between advertisers and advertisees for arranging for presentation of advertisements to users of computers or other computerized devices. Advertiser and advertisee offers, including user context conditions, are obtained. User context information is obtained, such as real-time or almost real-time information about an online user of an Internet site of the advertiser. If a match is determined between an advertiser offer, an advertisee offer, and a user context, arranging for presentation of an advertisement to the user is facilitated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: David Zito, Joseph Essas, Reza Ghanbari, Yusuf Gomel
  • Patent number: D703674
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: David Zito, Grant J. Stafford