Patents by Inventor James D. Shaffer

James D. Shaffer 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: 8611874
    Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a mobile telephone regarding a calling device is described. The system and method includes receiving an incoming call request at a mobile telephone including the identifier of the calling device. An information request is then formulated including the identifier of the calling device. The information request is transmitted from the mobile phone to the query processing center via a data communication channel. A response is then obtained from the data processing center and transmitted to the mobile phone via the data communication channel. The response received from the data processing center includes the requested information related to the calling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Neustar Information Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, Gregory Lowell Greenberg, Alan Charles Burye, Jr., Robert B. Hinkley, Craig Steven Schmackpfeffer
  • Patent number: 8565404
    Abstract: A system and method of generating a contact list based on a geographic definition and, in certain embodiments, other screening criteria. In an embodiment, a geographic definition, specifying a geographic area, is received. The geographic definition is translated into at least one linkage key. A contact list, comprising a plurality of records associated with the geographic area, is then generated from one or more databases using the at least one linkage key as an index into the one or more databases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Neustar Information Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Patent number: 8457613
    Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a mobile communication device regarding a calling device is described. The system and method includes receiving an incoming call request at a mobile communication device including the identifier of the calling device. An information request is then formulated including the identifier of the calling device. The information request is transmitted from the mobile communication device to the query processing center via a data communication channel. A response is then obtained from the data processing center and transmitted to the mobile phone via the data communication channel. The response received from the data processing center includes the requested information related to the calling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Neustar Information Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Schmackpfeffer, Ross Shanken, James D. Shaffer, Alan C. Burye
  • Patent number: 8447025
    Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving household data based on an origination identifier. In an embodiment, an origination identifier of a communication is captured. The origination identifier is indexed into a master table comprising a plurality of records. Each of the records comprises an association between an origination identifier and a universal database linkage key, and each universal database linkage key comprises an index into one or more databases. A universal database linkage key associated with the captured origination identifier is retrieved and indexed into one or more databases. Household data associated with the captured origination identifier is retrieved from the one or more databases and communicated to at least one recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Neustar Information Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Patent number: 8429124
    Abstract: Systems and method for distributing updates on demand to synchronize a remote client database with a source database are provided. A client can request an online update from the database content provider and the database provider can stream database updates to the client over a network connection in real time, or the database content provider can stream database updates to the client at scheduled times based on a licensing agreement with the client. This allows the client database to be kept in synch with the source database without requiring that the database provider generate a set of database updates on physical media and ship the physical media to the client for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Neustar Information Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, Alex Oliveira
  • Patent number: 8363814
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically and seamlessly routing telephone calls across a telephone network. The system includes a telephone network interface box having a computer, a master file and client file stored in the computer. The master file is dynamically linked to the client file at routing time to produce a selected client location telephone number which is transmitted across the telephone network. In one embodiment, the system utilizes Automatic Number Identification to identify the calling party. The master file has a plurality of records having a telephone number and a spatial key and is updated frequently. The client file has a plurality of records having a spatial key and a client telephone number. Another embodiment utilizes a spatial coordinate of an instantaneous location of a caller's mobile device as an input to a real-time process which identifies one or more client service locations corresponding to the location of the caller's device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Targus Information Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120173537
    Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving household data based on an origination identifier. In an embodiment, an origination identifier of a communication is captured. The origination identifier is indexed into a master table comprising a plurality of records. Each of the records comprises an association between an origination identifier and a universal database linkage key, and each universal database linkage key comprises an index into one or more databases. A universal database linkage key associated with the captured origination identifier is retrieved and indexed into one or more databases. Household data associated with the captured origination identifier is retrieved from the one or more databases and communicated to at least one recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: TARGUS INFORMATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120158653
    Abstract: Systems and method for distributing updates on demand to synchronize a remote client database with a source database are provided. A client can request an online update from the database content provider and the database provider can stream database updates to the client over a network connection in real time, or the database content provider can stream database updates to the client at scheduled times based on a licensing agreement with the client. This allows the client database to be kept in synch with the source database without requiring that the database provider generate a set of database updates on physical media and ship the physical media to the client for processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TARGUS INFORMATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, Alex Oliveira
  • Publication number: 20120136873
    Abstract: A system and method of generating a contact list based on a geographic definition and, in certain embodiments, other screening criteria. In an embodiment, a geographic definition, specifying a geographic area, is received. The geographic definition is translated into at least one linkage key. A contact list, comprising a plurality of records associated with the geographic area, is then generated from one or more databases using the at least one linkage key as an index into the one or more databases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Targus Information Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Patent number: 8180041
    Abstract: A one number, multi-application, intelligent call processing system provides service benefits to a caller, a servicing location and/or a vanity number advertiser during a call, parallel to the call and/or post call in an integrated common architecture. The system utilizes VRU technology in conjunction with the national telecommunications network connected via Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) to a virtual telephone number database containing a nationwide master list of telephone numbers with attribute data items associated by Spatial Key linkage to each telephone number. The process of the invention is initiated by a caller dialing a selected telephone number to request information and/or services. Based on the number dialed, a caller or network provided ten-digit telephone number and VRU prompted for and received caller input, the system retrieves the application requested data from the virtual telephone number database and provides it to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Targus Information Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Patent number: 8160614
    Abstract: A method and system for providing automated concierge services to end users communicates with users over network devices, such as telephones and wireless devices, and utilizes third party network location-based service (LBS) applications, such as Internet/Web locators, to obtain location information based on user requests. On receipt of a request from a mobile device, the location of the mobile device is identified. A network application related to the requested service is identified and the user location is translated into an input parameter compatible with the network application which is provided to the network applications. A response to the input parameter is received and processed in order to generate an answer to the user's request. Finally, the application sends the answer to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Targus Information Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, John F. Keaveney
  • Publication number: 20110319061
    Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a mobile communication device regarding a calling device is described. The system and method includes receiving an incoming call request at a mobile communication device including the identifier of the calling device. An information request is then formulated including the identifier of the calling device. The information request is transmitted from the mobile communication device to the query processing center via a data communication channel. A response is then obtained from the data processing center and transmitted to the mobile phone via the data communication channel. The response received from the data processing center includes the requested information related to the calling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: TARGUS INFORMATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig S. Schmackpfeffer, Ross Shanken, James D. Shaffer, Alan C. Burye
  • Patent number: 8085924
    Abstract: A one number, multi-application, intelligent call processing system provides service benefits to a caller, a servicing location and/or a vanity number advertiser during a call, parallel to the call and/or post call in an integrated common architecture. The system utilizes VRU technology in conjunction with the national telecommunications network connected via Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) to a virtual telephone number database containing a nationwide master list of telephone numbers with attribute data items associated by Spatial Key linkage to each telephone number. The process of the invention is initiated by a caller dialing a selected telephone number to request information and/or services. Based on the number dialed, a caller or network provided ten-digit telephone number and VRU prompted for and received caller input, the system retrieves the application requested data from the virtual telephone number database and provides it to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Targus Information Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Patent number: 8064586
    Abstract: A real-time, interactive system and method of building a list of contact records, such as a mailing list, on a computer network based on selected criteria. A list specification is generated, which may include interactively specifying a geographically defined area for which a contact list is desired including receiving user input, and interactively selecting a product from a plurality of products and a threshold score for the product including receiving user input. The list specification may be transmitted over the computer network to a server where the contact list is built in real-time based on the list specification. If a set of characteristics of the contact list, such as number of records generated or cost, are approved by the user, the contact list is transmitted to a user-specified node on the computer network. The list specification may be stored in memory for reuse by a business, such as a chain of stores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Targus Information Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Publication number: 20100056119
    Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a mobile telephone regarding a calling device is described. The system and method includes receiving an incoming call request at a mobile telephone including the identifier of the calling device. An information request is then formulated including the identifier of the calling device. The information request is transmitted from the mobile phone to the query processing center via a data communication channel. A response is then obtained from the data processing center and transmitted to the mobile phone via the data communication channel. The response received from the data processing center includes the requested information related to the calling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Targus Information Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, Gregory Lowell Greenberg, Alan Charles Burye, JR., Robert B. Hinkley, Craig Steven Schmackpfeffer
  • Publication number: 20090074163
    Abstract: A one number, multi-application, intelligent call processing system provides service benefits to a caller, a servicing location and/or a vanity number advertiser during a call, parallel to the call and/or post call in an integrated common architecture. The system utilizes VRU technology in conjunction with the national telecommunications network connected via Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) to a virtual telephone number database containing a nationwide master list of telephone numbers with attribute data items associated by Spatial Key linkage to each telephone number. The process of the invention is initiated by a caller dialing a selected telephone number to request information and/or services. Based on the number dialed, a caller or network provided ten-digit telephone number and VRU prompted for and received caller input, the system retrieves the application requested data from the virtual telephone number database and provides it to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: TARGUS INFORMATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Publication number: 20090070196
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system and method is provided for developing small geographic area population, household, business and demographic count estimates and projections using a MAF. The systems and methods described herein use mailing addresses and corresponding address related records, in conjunction with the DPV validation and RDI coding functionality, as well as ZIP+4 type coding, in order to build a MAF with unique DPV validated addresses. Each address in the MAF is delivery point coded (DPC), mail delivery validated, has a residential/business address code, and has a USPS ZIP+4 type, FIPS code, latitude and longitude and selected demographic data. The MAF is then tabulated directly or used in conjunction with current county level or Census Bureau estimates to generate estimates of the census block records or census block group records and/or areas of any size or shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: TARGUS INFORMATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, Eric R. Hardy, Kenneth L. Inman, Loren Jay Albertazzi
  • Patent number: 7243075
    Abstract: A real-time, interactive system and method of building a list of contact records, such as a mailing list, on a computer network based on selected criteria. A list specification is generated, which may include interactively specifying a geographically defined area for which a contact list is desired including receiving user input, and interactively selecting a product from a plurality of products and a threshold score for the product including receiving user input. The list specification may be transmitted over the computer network to a server where the contact list is built in real-time based on the list specification. If a set of characteristics of the contact list, such as number of records generated or cost, are approved by the user, the contact list is transmitted to a user-specified node on the computer network. The list specification may be stored in memory for reuse by a business, such as a chain of stores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Patent number: 7203300
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically and seamlessly routing telephone calls across a telephone network. The system includes a telephone network interface box having a computer, a master file and client file stored in the computer. The master file is dynamically linked to the client file at routing time to produce a selected client location telephone number which is transmitted across the telephone network. In one embodiment, the system utilizes Automatic Number Identification to identify the calling party. The master file has a plurality of records having a telephone number and a spatial key and is updated frequently. The client file has a plurality of records having a spatial key and a client telephone number. Another embodiment utilizes a spatial coordinate of an instantaneous location of a caller's mobile device as an input to a real-time process which identifies one or more client service locations corresponding to the location of the caller's device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore
  • Patent number: 7167907
    Abstract: A system that flexibly, retrieves, processes and distributes data across a global computer network is disclosed. Within the system, a first party identifier is captured and converted into a Linkage Key, such as a United States Postal Service Delivery point code (11-digit zip code). The Linkage Key is then used to retrieve Linkage Key indexed data from various network nodes that house components of a virtual Linkage Key indexed database. The retrieved information associated with the first party identifier is then distributed by the system to one or more network nodes to provide benefits to the first party and other network nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: James D. Shaffer, George G. Moore