Patents by Inventor James D. Chan

James D. Chan 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: 8560545
    Abstract: Various computer-implemented processes are disclosed for using item clustering methods in the process of generating personalized item recommendations for users. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items, and using information about the resulting clusters to select items to use as recommendation sources. Personalized recommendations may then be generated based on the selected source items. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to rate entire clusters of items. The resulting cluster ratings may be used to select recommendation sources, and/or may otherwise be considered in generating recommendations for the user. Cluster-based processes are also disclosed for filtering and organizing the output of a recommendation engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Publication number: 20120109778
    Abstract: Various computer-implemented processes are disclosed for using item clustering methods in the process of generating personalized item recommendations for users. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items, and using information about the resulting clusters to select items to use as recommendation sources. Personalized recommendations may then be generated based on the selected source items. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to rate entire clusters of items. The resulting cluster ratings may be used to select recommendation sources, and/or may otherwise be considered in generating recommendations for the user. Cluster-based processes are also disclosed for filtering and organizing the output of a recommendation engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Patent number: 8095521
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Patent number: 8019766
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items, and for using item clusters to generate and/or present item recommendations. One process involves calculating distances between items based on how the items are categorized within a hierarchical browse structure. These distance calculations may then be used as a basis for forming clusters of items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Patent number: 7966225
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Patent number: 7949659
    Abstract: A recommendations system is provided in various embodiments for selecting items to recommend to a user. The system includes a recommendation engine with a plurality of recommenders, and each recommender identifies a different type of reason for recommending items. In one embodiment, each recommender retrieves item preference data and generates candidate recommendations responsive to a subset of that data. The recommenders also score the candidate recommendations. In certain embodiments, a normalization engine normalizes the scores of the candidate recommendations provided by each recommender. A candidate selector selects at least a portion of the candidate recommendations based on the normalized scores to provide as recommendations to the user. The candidate selector also outputs the recommendations with associated reasons for recommending the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kushal Chakrabarti, James D. Chan, George M. Ionkov, Sung H. Kim, Shing Yan Lam, Brett W. Witt
  • Patent number: 7743059
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Patent number: 7689457
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Publication number: 20090006373
    Abstract: A recommendations system is provided in various embodiments for selecting items to recommend to a user. The system includes a recommendation engine with a plurality of recommenders, and each recommender identifies a different type of reason for recommending items. In one embodiment, each recommender retrieves item preference data and generates candidate recommendations responsive to a subset of that data. The recommenders also score the candidate recommendations. In certain embodiments, a normalization engine normalizes the scores of the candidate recommendations provided by each recommender. A candidate selector selects at least a portion of the candidate recommendations based on the normalized scores to provide as recommendations to the user. The candidate selector also outputs the recommendations with associated reasons for recommending the items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Kushal Chakrabarti, James D. Chan, George M. Ionkov, Sung H. Kim, Shing Yan Lam, Brett W. Witt
  • Publication number: 20080243816
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Publication number: 20080243815
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Publication number: 20080243817
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Publication number: 20080243638
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov
  • Publication number: 20080243637
    Abstract: Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: James D. Chan, Kushal Chakrabarti, George M. Ionkov