Patents by Inventor Duane R. Valz

Duane R. Valz 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: 9270938
    Abstract: A method and computing system for receiving, on a computing device, a plurality of individual audio/video streams from a plurality of client electronic devices used by a plurality of users. The plurality of individual audio/video streams are processed, on the computing device, to generate a synchronous communication session for the plurality of users. A broadcast request is received, on the computing device, from one of the plurality of users to provide the synchronous communication session to a media interface device. A session audio/video stream of the synchronous communication session is provided, via the computing device, to the media interface device, wherein the session audio/video stream includes at least a portion of the plurality of individual audio/video streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz
  • Patent number: 9076148
    Abstract: Dynamic pricing models which facilitate efficient distribution of digital content online. Particular implementations of the invention dynamically base pricing for digital content on relatively current, aggregated information regarding Internet user behavior and preferences, such as search query and/or page hit logs. Some implementations of the present invention are directed to pricing digital content based on the inherent properties of digital content and the mechanics of how electronic files are typically distributed on the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20150142881
    Abstract: Receive a plurality of data management policies from a user. Store in a memory the data management policies in association with a context and an identifier of the user. Receive personal data of the user collected in one or more contexts by one or more collection devices. Determine whether the personal data complies with one or more of the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data of the user. If the personal data complies with the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data on the user, then storing in the memory the personal data in association with the identifier of the user. Provide a centralized interface to the user for managing the personal data stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Kalaboukis, Christopher William Higgins, Marc Eliot Davis, Ronald Martinez, Rahul Nair, Simon P. King, Carrie Burgener, Duane R. Valz
  • Patent number: 8914342
    Abstract: Receive a plurality of data management policies from a user. Store in a memory the data management policies in association with a context and an identifier of the user. Receive personal data of the user collected in one or more contexts by one or more collection devices. Determine whether the personal data complies with one or more of the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data of the user. If the personal data complies with the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data on the user, then storing in the memory the personal data in association with the identifier of the user. Provide a centralized interface to the user for managing the personal data stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Kalaboukis, Christopher William Higgins, Marc Eliot Davis, Ronald Martinez, Rahul Nair, Simon P. King, Carrie Burgener, Duane R. Valz
  • Patent number: 7933899
    Abstract: A method for an online sponsored search system includes storing a database of items. At least some of the items include a keyword and a money amount associated with a respective advertiser. The method further includes receiving information about current user preferences within the online sponsored search system. When the received user information relates to a keyword of an item, the method includes automatically adjusting the money amount of the item based on the received user interest information. In response to a received user query, the method includes identifying items relating to the received user search query and generating a search result list including the related items. The method then includes ordering the related items according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the matching items. In response to the designation of a Web page to receive sponsored advertisements, the method includes identifying items relating to the subject matter of one or more portions of the Web page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20110087558
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic exchange includes receiving, at an exchange system, an offer that includes a description of information for offer and terms associated with access to the information. An offer processor of the electronic exchange stores an offer listing associated with the offer to an offer database. A matching engine of the electronic exchange searches a request database for a request listing that matches the offer listing. The electronic exchange communicates access instructions that enable access to the information to a requestor associated with the request listing when a match is found.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Kalaboukis, Carrie Burgener, Rahul Nair, Simon P. King, Ron Martinez, Marc Eliot Davis, Chris W. Higgins, Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20110055018
    Abstract: A method for an online sponsored search system includes storing a database of items. At least some of the items include a keyword and a money amount associated with a respective advertiser. The method further includes receiving information about current user preferences within the online sponsored search system. When the received user information relates to a keyword of an item, the method includes automatically adjusting the money amount of the item based on the received user interest information. In response to a received user query, the method includes identifying items relating to the received user search query and generating a search result list including the related items. The method then includes ordering the related items according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the matching items. In response to the designation of a Web page to receive sponsored advertisements, the method includes identifying items relating to the subject matter of one or more portions of the Web page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20110040691
    Abstract: A system and method for a verified presence data marketplace. Offers for verified location data are received wherein each offer comprises an identification of at least one target user, at least one data granularity level and data reliability level and at least one offer payment term. Location data relating to the target users is retrieved from a plurality of location data sources and the reliability of the data is then verified and the data is then stored on a computer readable medium. At least one bid for verified location data from an entity is received wherein the bid relates to the offers for verified location data. An acceptance of the bid is then processed. The verified location data relating to the bid is then retrieved and is transmitted over the network to the bidding entity and the target users are paid according to the terms of the bid payment offer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald Martinez, Marc Eliot Davis, Simon P. King, Christopher William Higgins, Chris Kalaboukis, Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20110040736
    Abstract: Receive a plurality of data management policies from a user. Store in a memory the data management policies in association with a context and an identifier of the user. Receive personal data of the user collected in one or more contexts by one or more collection devices. Determine whether the personal data complies with one or more of the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data of the user. If the personal data complies with the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data on the user, then storing in the memory the personal data in association with the identifier of the user. Provide a centralized interface to the user for managing the personal data stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Kalaboukis, Christopher William Higgins, Marc Eliot Davis, Ronald Martinez, Rahul Nair, Simon P. King, Carrie Burgener, Duane R. Valz
  • Patent number: 7856433
    Abstract: A method for an online sponsored search system includes storing a database of items. At least some of the items include a keyword and a money amount associated with a respective advertiser. The method further includes receiving information about current user preferences within the online sponsored search system. When the received user information relates to a keyword of an item, the method includes automatically adjusting the money amount of the item based on the received user interest information. In response to a received user query, the method includes identifying items relating to the received user search query and generating a search result list including the related items. The method then includes ordering the related items according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the matching items. In response to the designation of a Web page to receive sponsored advertisements, the method includes identifying items relating to the subject matter of one or more portions of the Web page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20090210423
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that may be used to maintain personal data trusts in a computing environment. An exemplary system may include a repository adapted to store personal data, an identification agent adapted to identify at least one computing resource that may have personal data, a collection agent adapted to selectively retrieve the personal data and provide it to the repository for storage therein, and a disposition agent adapted to selectively control access to the collected and stored personal data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20080249991
    Abstract: A method for an online sponsored search system includes storing a database of items. At least some of the items include a keyword and a money amount associated with a respective advertiser. The method further includes receiving information about current user preferences within the online sponsored search system. When the received user information relates to a keyword of an item, the method includes automatically adjusting the money amount of the item based on the received user interest information. In response to a received user query, the method includes identifying items relating to the received user search query and generating a search result list including the related items. The method then includes ordering the related items according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the matching items. In response to the designation of a Web page to received sponsored advertisements, the method includes identifying items relating to the subject matter of one or more portions of the Web page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz
  • Publication number: 20080154798
    Abstract: Dynamic pricing models which facilitate efficient distribution of digital content online. Particular implementations of the invention dynamically base pricing for digital content on relatively current, aggregated information regarding Internet user behavior and preferences, such as search query and/or page hit logs. Some implementations of the present invention are directed to pricing digital content based on the inherent properties of digital content and the mechanics of how electronic files are typically distributed on the Internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Duane R. Valz