Patents by Inventor Donald R. Steul

Donald R. Steul 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).

  • Publication number: 20160019594
    Abstract: Communication systems and methods support communication between multiple devices. In some embodiments, a method initiates a communication session between a first device and a second device via a server. The method identifies a first user associated with the first device and identifies a second user associated with the second device. An interaction history between the first user and the second user is accessed from the server and communicated to the first device for display on the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Donald R. STEUL, Henry M. VOGEL, Brian J. CHISHOLM, Kavinder S. DHALIWAL, Yongjiang ZHANG, Ravichandran RAJAMIYER, Jeffrey T. BECKER, Aleksandar DUKIC
  • Patent number: 9119054
    Abstract: Communication systems and methods support communication between multiple devices. In some embodiments, a method initiates a communication session between a first device and a second device via a server. The method identifies a first user associated with the first device and identifies a second user associated with the second device. An interaction history between the first user and the second user is accessed from the server and communicated to the first device for display on the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Donald R. Steul, Henry M. Vogel, Brian J. Chisholn, Kavinder S. Dhaliwal, Yongjiang Zhang, Ravichandran Rajamiyer, Jeffrey T. Becker, Aleksandar Dukic
  • Publication number: 20130051537
    Abstract: A process identifies multiple campaign activation points associated with a voice-based menu hierarchy such that the voice-based menu hierarchy is accessed by multiple callers. The process continues by identifying a campaign associated with the voice-based menu hierarchy and determining a campaign value associated with the campaign. Additionally, the process determines an opt-in rate associated with the campaign and determines a likelihood that callers will reach each campaign activation point. A score associated with the campaign is then calculated for each campaign activation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Apptera, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Steul
  • Patent number: 8300799
    Abstract: A process identifies multiple campaign activation points associated with a voice-based menu hierarchy such that the voice-based menu hierarchy is accessed by multiple callers. The process continues by identifying a campaign associated with the voice-based menu hierarchy and determining a campaign value associated with the campaign. Additionally, the process determines an opt-in rate associated with the campaign and determines a likelihood that callers will reach each campaign activation point. A score associated with the campaign is then calculated for each campaign activation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Apptera, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Steul
  • Publication number: 20120232978
    Abstract: Communication systems and methods support communication between multiple devices. In some embodiments, a method initiates a communication session between a first device and a second device via a server. The method identifies a first user associated with the first device and identifies a second user associated with the second device. An interaction history between the first user and the second user is accessed from the server and communicated to the first device for display on the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Apptera, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Steul, Henry M. Vogel, Brian J. Chisholm, Kavinder S. Dhaliwal, Yongjiang Zhang, Ravichandran Rajamiyer, Jeffrey T. Becker, Aleksandar Dukic
  • Publication number: 20100312640
    Abstract: A directory assistance request is received from a caller such that the caller requests a particular business. A process identifies at least one advertisement for a business that competes with the requested business. The advertisement for the competing business is played to the caller. The caller is then given the option of selecting the competing business or the requested business.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Apptera, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph M. Haldeman, Leo Chiu, Donald R. Steul, David J. Holsinger
  • Publication number: 20090144131
    Abstract: In an apparatus that creates and distributes voice advertisements to end users, the apparatus includes a voice advertising portal and a network coupled to the voice advertising portal. A voice application server determines which portions of a voice advertisement will be cached locally at the voice advertising portal for subsequent local retrieval during user interaction with the voice advertising portal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Leo Chiu, Donald R. Steul, Arumugam Appadurai
  • Publication number: 20090070216
    Abstract: Initially, information is received that is related to an online auction that has ended. The received information includes identities of non-winning auction participants and the auctioned product or service. A specific advertisement is then selected from among multiple advertisements associated the auctioned product or service. Certain non-winning auction participants are identified to receive the specific advertisement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: M. Marketta Silvera, Randolph M. Haldeman, Donald R. Steul, Terrance A. Shough
  • Publication number: 20090063281
    Abstract: A call is received by an entity from a caller. The entity plays an initial greeting to the caller and provides a list of options to the caller. The entity receives a caller selection from the list of options and offers the caller an opportunity to opt-out of listening to advertisements while waiting for a representative. If the caller does not opt-out of listening to advertisements, an advertisement is selected for the caller from among multiple advertisements. The advertisement is selected based on the caller's selection, bid prices associated with the multiple advertisements, and information known about the caller from previous calls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Randolph M. Haldeman, Donald R. Steul
  • Publication number: 20080247534
    Abstract: A process identifies multiple campaign activation points associated with a voice-based menu hierarchy such that the voice-based menu hierarchy is accessed by multiple callers. The process continues by identifying a campaign associated with the voice-based menu hierarchy and determining a campaign value associated with the campaign. Additionally, the process determines an opt-in rate associated with the campaign and determines a likelihood that callers will reach each campaign activation point. A score associated with the campaign is then calculated for each campaign activation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Donald R. Steul
  • Publication number: 20080221975
    Abstract: A process identifies multiple campaign activation points associated with a voice-based menu hierarchy such that the voice-based menu hierarchy is accessed by multiple callers. The process continues by identifying a campaign associated with the voice-based menu hierarchy and determining a campaign value associated with the campaign. Additionally, the process determines an opt-in rate associated with the campaign and determines a likelihood that callers will reach each campaign activation point. A score associated with the campaign is then calculated for each campaign activation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Donald R. Steul