Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Ayars

Jeffrey M. Ayars 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: 12192850
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.), while in other situations at least some users who are remote from a particular geographic area may be allowed to intercommunicate with one or more other users or other entities in or related to that geographic area. In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: BYTEDANCE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Gregory J. Conklin, Shafiq Shariff, Nathaniel Blake Scholl, John Kim
  • Publication number: 20230206310
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured to initiate an add-to-order session timer subsequent to the primary purchase of a first item using transaction data of the consumer. The add-to-order session timer may indicate a period of time in which one or more additional items may selected for purchase using the same transaction data as the primary purchase. In some embodiments, the system may be further configured to provide incentives to the consumer for selecting an additional item prior to expiration of the add-to-order session timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Michael HUGHES, Jeffrey A. HOLDEN, Jeffrey M. AYARS
  • Publication number: 20230188933
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.), while in other situations at least some users who are remote from a particular geographic area may be allowed to intercommunicate with one or more other users or other entities in or related to that geographic area. In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan HOLDEN, Jeffrey M. AYARS, Gregory J. CONKLIN, Shafiq SHARIFF, Nathaniel Blake SCHOLL, John KIM
  • Patent number: 11570574
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.), while in other situations at least some users who are remote from a particular geographic area may be allowed to intercommunicate with one or more other users or other entities in or related to that geographic area. In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Gregory J. Conklin, Shafiq Shariff, Nathaniel Blake Scholl, John Kim
  • Patent number: 11501361
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing user interfaces are discussed herein. Some examples may include an apparatus configured to determine one or more additional items based on relevance data related to a primary purchase item that is associated with a user profile, generate a user interface, determine at least one selected item from the one or more additional items, receive an expiration signal indicating expiration of an automatic completion time period, and execute an automatic purchase completion transition routine associated with the at least one selected item in response to receiving the expiration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Michael Hughes, Jeffrey A. Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars
  • Publication number: 20210233155
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing user interfaces are discussed herein. Some examples may include an apparatus configured to determine one or more additional items based on relevance data related to a primary purchase item that is associated with a user profile, generate a user interface, determine at least one selected item from the one or more additional items, receive an expiration signal indicating expiration of an automatic completion time period, and execute an automatic purchase completion transition routine associated with the at least one selected item in response to receiving the expiration signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Michael Hughes, Jeffrey A. Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars
  • Patent number: 10997646
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured to initiate an add-to-order session timer subsequent to the primary purchase of a first item using transaction data of the consumer. The add-to-order session timer may indicate a period of time in which one or more additional items may selected for purchase using the same transaction data as the primary purchase. In some embodiments, the system may be further configured to provide incentives to the consumer for selecting an additional item prior to expiration of the add-to-order session timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Michael Hughes, Jeffrey A. Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars
  • Patent number: 10798524
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.), while in other situations at least some users who are remote from a particular geographic area may be allowed to intercommunicate with one or more other users or other entities in or related to that geographic area. In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Gregory J. Conklin, Shafiq Shariff, Nathaniel Blake Scholl, John Kim
  • Publication number: 20200294088
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured complete a purchase of a first item using transaction data provided the consumer. The circuitry may be further configured to provide additional items to the consumer for a subsequent instant transaction. Using the same transaction data for the instant transaction as the purchase of the first item, the instant transaction may be streamlined by minimizing required consumer inputs. Some embodiments may additionally or alternatively provide for streamlined consumer inputs for the purchase of the first item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Michael Hughes, Jeffrey A. Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars
  • Patent number: 10540686
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured complete a purchase of a first item using transaction data provided the consumer. The circuitry may be further configured to provide additional items to the consumer for a subsequent instant transaction. Using the same transaction data for the instant transaction as the purchase of the first item, the instant transaction may be streamlined by minimizing required consumer inputs. Some embodiments may additionally or alternatively provide for streamlined consumer inputs for the purchase of the first item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Michael Hughes, Jeffrey A. Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars
  • Publication number: 20190180347
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured to initiate an add-to-order session timer subsequent to the primary purchase of a first item using transaction data of the consumer. The add-to-order session timer may indicate a period of time in which one or more additional items may selected for purchase using the same transaction data as the primary purchase. In some embodiments, the system may be further configured to provide incentives to the consumer for selecting an additional item prior to expiration of the add-to-order session timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Michael Hughes, Jeffrey A. Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars
  • Publication number: 20190158980
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.), while in other situations at least some users who are remote from a particular geographic area may be allowed to intercommunicate with one or more other users or other entities in or related to that geographic area. In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Gregory J. Conklin, Shafiq Shariff, Nathaniel Blake Scholl, John Kim
  • Patent number: 10142784
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.), while in other situations at least some users who are remote from a particular geographic area may be allowed to intercommunicate with one or more other users or other entities in or related to that geographic area. In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Gregory J. Conklin, Shafiq Shariff, Nathaniel Blake Scholl, John Kim
  • Patent number: 10102562
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for providing multiple items for purchase to consumers are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include a system including circuitry configured to initiate an add-to-order session timer subsequent to the primary purchase of a first item using transaction data of the consumer. The add-to-order session timer may indicate a period of time in which one or more additional items may selected for purchase using the same transaction data as the primary purchase. In some embodiments, the system may be further configured to provide incentives to the consumer for selecting an additional item prior to expiration of the add-to-order session timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Michael Hughes, Jeffrey A. Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars
  • Patent number: 9967189
    Abstract: A system and a method determine network conditions. The system includes a server computer and a client computer. The server computer is configured to transmit data packets comprising a data object from the server computer to the client computer. The client computer includes a transmission latency detector and a transmission bandwidth detector. The transmission latency detector uses transmission time and receipt time values to determine the changes in time it takes selected portions of the data object to be transmitted from the server computer to the client computer. The transmission bandwidth detector uses identified back-to-back data packets to determine the transmission bandwidth between the server computer and the client computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sujal M. Patel, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Rahul Agarwal, Bradley D. Hefta-Gaub, Peter S. Haight, Dale R. Stammen, Philip Rosedale
  • Publication number: 20180077527
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.), while in other situations at least some users who are remote from a particular geographic area may be allowed to intercommunicate with one or more other users or other entities in or related to that geographic area. In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Gregory J. Conklin, Shafiq Shariff, Nathaniel Blake Scholl, John Kim
  • Patent number: 9769611
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for creating and managing temporary virtual groups. An example apparatus may be configured enable an administrative entity to establish a temporary virtual group, enable the administrative entity to define configuration information for the temporary virtual group, the enabling of the administrative entity to define the configuration information comprising establishing membership criteria for admittance of one or more members to the temporary virtual group, establishing rules of interaction among the one or more members of that the temporary virtual group, establishing termination criteria, the termination criteria configured to determine when the temporary virtual group will terminate, and facilitate transmission of the message from the first member to a second member, and terminate the temporary virtual group upon determination that the termination criteria is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Gregory J. Conklin, Shafiq Shariff, Nathaniel Blake Scholl, John Kim
  • Patent number: 9710620
    Abstract: A system and method of providing universal digital rights management system protection is described. One feature of the invention concerns systems and methods for repackaging and securing data packaged under any file format type, compression technique, or digital rights management system. Another feature of the invention is directed to systems and methods for securing data by providing scalability through the use of modular data manipulation software objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Ayars, Bradley D. Hefta-Gaub, Daniel Sheeran
  • Patent number: 9684910
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to improve generation of electronic communications. The method may include providing a plurality of content slots each configured to receive content. The method may also include maintaining a database comprising a plurality of content generators, and determining, using a processor, one of the plurality of content generators for providing content to each of the plurality of content slots. The determining the one of the plurality of promotion content generators or non-promotion content generators may include providing a first content generator of the plurality of content generators with a set of selection parameters, and receiving a first bid for one of the plurality of content slots from the first content generator. The first content generator may determine the bid based at least in part on the set of selection parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Ayars, Ruslan Gilfanov, Jeffrey A. Holden, John Mark Nickels, Pete Prokopowicz, Daniel M. Roarty, David Thacker
  • Publication number: 20160353244
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for creating and managing temporary virtual groups. An example apparatus may be configured enable an administrative entity to establish a temporary virtual group, enable the administrative entity to define configuration information for the temporary virtual group, the enabling of the administrative entity to define the configuration information comprising establishing membership criteria for admittance of one or more members to the temporary virtual group, establishing rules of interaction among the one or more members of that the temporary virtual group, establishing termination criteria, the termination criteria configured to determine when the temporary virtual group will terminate, and facilitate transmission of the message from the first member to a second member, and terminate the temporary virtual group upon determination that the termination criteria is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Holden, Jeffrey M. Ayars, Gregory J. Conklin, Shafiq Shariff, Nathaniel Blake Scholl, John Kim