Patents by Inventor Frank C. Nicholas

Frank C. Nicholas 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: 12102928
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for operating a fantasy league including: fantasy player information including performance history of one or more real-world athletes selected as fantasy players is stored. Sponsorship information associated with the fantasy player is stored on at least one of an individual or team basis. An operational request from a fantasy client device is received. An association between the operational request and the fantasy player is determined. An operational result is determined. At least one item of sponsorship information is associated with the operational result. The operational result and the sponsorship information are transmitted. An alert window is displayed at the fantasy client device including the sponsorship information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20240303260
    Abstract: A search assistant method, the method of searching for patent documents material to elements of a target patent document including: receiving the target patent document including the elements, the target patent document being machine-readable; selecting keywords from the elements; identifying synonyms corresponding to the keywords in a synonym database; forming the keywords and the identified synonyms into a search string; identifying patent documents in a patent database based on the search string; highlighting the keywords and the identified synonyms in the identified patent documents; ranking the identified patent documents based on relevance of the highlighted keywords and the highlighted identified synonyms in each of the identified patent documents to the search string; determining citations in at least one of the ranked identified patent documents for each of the highlighted keywords and the highlighted identified synonyms; and mapping the elements of the target patent document to the determined citati
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: Cardinal Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Frank C. Nicholas
  • Patent number: 12028401
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to creating, managing, and delivering feed formatted content. One method includes receiving a multimedia playlist request including at least one multimedia location indicator, determining at least one multimedia file location based on the at least one multimedia location indicator, and providing a multimedia playlist including at least one of the determined multimedia file locations. A further method includes receiving a resize input, resizing a feed reader from a first display including a first number of feed items to a second display including a second number of feed items based on the resize input, the first number different from the second number, receiving a scroll request, determining a scroll number based on the second number, and scrolling based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Patent number: 11983206
    Abstract: A search assistant method, the method of searching for patent documents material to elements of a target patent document including: receiving the target patent document including the elements, the target patent document being machine-readable; selecting keywords from the elements; identifying synonyms corresponding to the keywords in a synonym database; forming the keywords and the identified synonyms into a search string; identifying patent documents in a patent database based on the search string; highlighting the keywords and the identified synonyms in the identified patent documents; ranking the identified patent documents based on relevance of the highlighted keywords and the highlighted identified synonyms in each of the identified patent documents to the search string; determining citations in at least one of the ranked identified patent documents for each of the highlighted keywords and the highlighted identified synonyms; and mapping the elements of the target patent document to the determined citati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventor: Frank C. Nicholas
  • Publication number: 20210243275
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method of providing time sensitive information on a multimedia device. The method includes receiving a multimedia file associated with feed formatted content at a multimedia device, receiving a time activator associated with the multimedia file and the feed formatted content at the multimedia device, storing the multimedia file in association with the time activator at the multimedia device, receiving an information request, determining a time factor, and selectively providing the multimedia file on the multimedia device based on the information request, the time factor, and the time activator. The invention further provides a system and method of providing user interest to a potential feed publisher. The method includes providing at least one feed, providing at least one information request feed item in the feed, receiving request information associated with the feed; and providing the request information to a potential feed publisher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Patent number: 11080760
    Abstract: A method and system for providing network based target advertising and encapsulation having a method for targeting advertising. When no ad in the inventory at the right of first refusal ad server is appropriate to the determined demographic, the method includes: identifying the content server at the right of first refusal ad server based on the ad request; determining a default ad server based on the identified content server, the default ad server being independent, separate, and distinct from the right of first refusal ad server; sending a pass request from the right of first refusal ad server to the default ad server; forwarding the ad request from the content server to the default ad server in response to the pass request; and serving a default ad service ad from the default ad server to the user node in response to the forwarded ad request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: DIZPERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Patent number: 10977613
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for facilitating a cooperative purchasing service. One method includes: providing a conditional purchase opportunity including a purchase threshold, providing information associated with the a conditional purchase opportunity to at least one display node, receiving a contingent purchase input from a user having a social network user profile, and associating the conditional purchase opportunity with the user profile. A further method includes: requesting cooperative purchase feed formatted content associated with a social network user account, receiving cooperative purchase feed formatted content including a cooperative purchase offer in response to the request, and providing the a cooperative purchase offer including a social network identifier, at a social network user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: DIZPERSION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20200242663
    Abstract: A method and system for providing network based target advertising and encapsulation having a method for targeting advertising. When no ad in the inventory at the right of first refusal ad server is appropriate to the determined demographic, the method includes: identifying the content server at the right of first refusal ad server based on the ad request; determining a default ad server based on the identified content server, the default ad server being independent, separate, and distinct from the right of first refusal ad server; sending a pass request from the right of first refusal ad server to the default ad server; forwarding the ad request from the content server to the default ad server in response to the pass request; and serving a default ad service ad from the default ad server to the user node in response to the forwarded ad request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20200014744
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for creating, managing, and delivery of feed formatted content. One method includes: receiving a multimedia playlist request including at least one multimedia location indicator, determining at least one multimedia file location based on the at least one multimedia location indicator, and providing a multimedia playlist including at least one of the determined multimedia file locations. A further method includes: sending an authentication request to an authentication node including a first set of user identification information, receiving an authentication reply from the authentication node, providing multimedia location information, receiving a multimedia content request from a user node including a second set of user identification information, determining content ownership based on the first and second sets of user identification information, and providing the multimedia content based on the content request and the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Patent number: 10515394
    Abstract: A telecommunication system implements a method for providing a targeted on-line advertisement to a user accessing a content provider node of the system. An ad is requested from a user node. A content provider is identified at a right of first refusal ad service based on the ad request. At least one demographic corresponding to the user node is determined. Whether an ad corresponds to the determined demographic is determined. A default ad service is determined based on the content provider. The ad request is passed to a default ad service. Retrieved content is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20190356756
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method of providing time sensitive information on a multimedia device. The method includes receiving a multimedia file associated with feed formatted content at a multimedia device, receiving a time activator associated with the multimedia file and the feed formatted content at the multimedia device, storing the multimedia file in association with the time activator at the multimedia device, receiving an information request, determining a time factor, and selectively providing the multimedia file on the multimedia device based on the information request, the time factor, and the time activator. The invention further provides a system and method of providing user interest to a potential feed publisher. The method includes providing at least one feed, providing at least one information request feed item in the feed, receiving request information associated with the feed; and providing the request information to a potential feed publisher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20190015753
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for operating a fantasy league including: fantasy player information including performance history of one or more real-world athletes selected as fantasy players is stored. Sponsorship information associated with the fantasy player is stored on at least one of an individual or team basis. An operational request from a fantasy client device is received. An association between the operational request and the fantasy player is determined. An operational result is determined. At least one item of sponsorship information is associated with the operational result. The operational result and the sponsorship information are transmitted. An alert window is displayed at the fantasy client device including the sponsorship information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Dizpersion
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Patent number: 10046244
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for operating a fantasy league including: fantasy player information including performance history of one or more real-world athletes selected as fantasy players is stored. Sponsorship information associated with the fantasy player is stored on at least one of an individual or team basis. An operational request from a fantasy client device is received. An association between the operational request and the fantasy player is determined. An operational result is determined. At least one item of sponsorship information is associated with the operational result. The operational result and the sponsorship information are transmitted. An alert window is displayed at the fantasy client device including the sponsorship information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20180204247
    Abstract: A telecommunication system implements a method for providing a targeted on-line advertisement to a user accessing a content provider node of the system. An ad is requested from a user node. A content provider is identified at a right of first refusal ad service based on the ad request. At least one demographic corresponding to the user node is determined. Whether an ad corresponds to the determined demographic is determined. A default ad service is determined based on the content provider. The ad request is passed to a default ad service. Retrieved content is processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Patent number: 9916597
    Abstract: A telecommunication system implements a method for providing a targeted on-line advertisement to a user accessing a content provider node of the system. An ad is requested from a user node. A content provider is identified at a right of first refusal ad service based on the ad request. At least one demographic corresponding to the user node is determined. Whether an ad corresponds to the determined demographic is determined. A default ad service is determined based on the content provider. The ad request is passed to a default ad service. Retrieved content is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20180053214
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method of online marketing. At least one deal is associated with at least one competition. A plurality of user requests is received to compete for the deal as participants in the competition. Deal payment terms are determined for the deal based on a competition result of the competition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: DIZPERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: FRANK C. NICHOLAS, IAN B. CARSWELL
  • Patent number: 9805395
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method of online marketing. At least one deal is associated with at least one competition. A plurality of user requests is received to compete for the deal as participants in the competition. Deal payment terms are determined for the deal based on a competition result of the competition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Dizpersion Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20160343037
    Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and computer usable medium including a program for sponsoring customizing feed content. The method includes associating a user with a profile group based on characteristic response data; receiving at least one keyword from the user; determining whether feed formatted content contains the keyword; associating a sponsorship with the feed formatted content based on the keyword and the associated profile group; and providing the feed formatted content with associated sponsorship to the user based on the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20160193532
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for operating a fantasy league including: fantasy player information including performance history of one or more real-world athletes selected as fantasy players is stored. Sponsorship information associated with the fantasy player is stored on at least one of an individual or team basis. An operational request from a fantasy client device is received. An association between the operational request and the fantasy player is determined. An operational result is determined. At least one item of sponsorship information is associated with the operational result. The operational result and the sponsorship information are transmitted. An alert window is displayed at the fantasy client device including the sponsorship information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Dizpersion
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell
  • Publication number: 20160082347
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating a fantasy league including: Fantasy player information including performance history of one or more real-world athletes selected as fantasy players is provided. The fantasy player information is updated in real-time based on fantasy player performance information from a real-world performance. A fantasy team player list is received, the list including a plurality of fantasy team players. The plurality of fantasy team players is associated with a first user of the fantasy server system. A plurality of highlight video clip links is received, each associated with at least one specific fantasy player and at least one piece of fantasy player performance information. At least one highlight video clip link is determined from the plurality of highlight video clip links based upon at least one of the fantasy team players associated with the first user. The determined highlight video clip link is provided to the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Frank C. Nicholas, Ian B. Carswell