Patents by Inventor John Roper

John Roper 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: 9449114
    Abstract: A method and system for removing chrome from a web page is provided. An example system includes a parsing module, a text density analyzer, a content node selector 206, and a text extractor. The parsing module may be configured to parse a web page into a tree structure. The text density analyzer may be configured to determine a text density score value for each node from the tree structure. The content node selector may be configured to identify one or more nodes from the tree structure as content nodes based on their respective text density score values. The text extractor may be configured to extract text from the content nodes only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: PayPal, Inc.
    Inventors: John Roper, Dane Glasgow
  • Patent number: 9405773
    Abstract: Using a processor, receiving, a query including a query image. A database is searched for a set of images similar to the query image, using a two-pass search. The results of the searching are then provided, the results including image members of the set of images similar to the query image. The first pass may be performed using a TF-IDF algorithm and the second pass ranks a predetermined number of results from the first pass by a best match algorithm or other type of algorithm. The type of second pass algorithm may be selectable by a user. If an end signal is not detected, a further two-pass search may be made based on a subsequent query having a subsequent query image. The subsequent query image may be one of the results of the previous two pass search. A subsequent query image may change from an image of a product of a first product category to an image of a product of a second product category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Naren Chittar, Sanjay Pundlkrao Ghatare, Richard D. Henderson, Ryan McDonald, John Roper
  • Patent number: 9391886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer implemented method of identifying in a network of interconnected devices a path through the network from a source device to a final destination device, the path comprising a connected sequence of devices, the method comprising at a monitor computer connected to the network: identifying a first device connected to the source device; transmitting a first query to the first device, the query including a destination identifier and requesting identification of an egress port for messages addressed to the destination identified by the destination identifier when the query is received at the first device; receiving a result message identifying the egress port and identifying the second device connected to the first device based on a network topology accessible by the monitor computer; and addressing a next query to the second device and receiving a next result message identifying an egress port from the second device; and identifying from the network topology a third device connec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ENTUITY LIMITED
    Inventor: Jeffrey John Roper
  • Patent number: 9280563
    Abstract: A system and method, which may be an offline method, extracts relevant image features about images in a network-based publication system for enabling image similarity searching of such images. An image is uploaded and may be sent to a picture processing service, which generates digests. The digests are compressed data structures each representing a particular image feature such as edge, color, texture, or words. These digests are then stored in a search database, where the digests can be used to retrieve images by image similarity at scale. A similar process can be performed for an image query for searching the search database for images similar to the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Naren Chittar, Sanjay Pundlkrao Ghatare, Ryan McDonald, John Roper, Michael Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20150295816
    Abstract: A method of executing a loop computer program comprising receiving at an execution unit a set of state variables which define an entry state, wherein one of the state variables defines a sequence of loop options; recording the entry state in a storage unit; in the execution unit, executing a first loop option in the ordered sequence of loop options in the entry state, using as parameters at least one of the other state variables in the set of state variables, wherein executing the first loop option comprises cancelling the first loop option from the ordered sequence, carrying out processing steps using at least one state variable, and determining if any of the state variables have altered as a result of the processing steps, wherein if none of the state variables have altered, entering a next loop iteration with an entry state in which the first loop option is cancelled from the ordered sequence, revealing a new first loop option, and; if at least one of the state variables has altered, reinstating the cancel
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey John Roper
  • Patent number: 9068062
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a dispersion of starch in an hydroxylic liquid, the process comprising introducing a feed starch and an hydroxylic liquid to an extruder, and applying shear forces in the extruder to the starch and the liquid under conditions sufficient to prepare a stable dispersion of starch particles in the hydroxylic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory W. Welsch, Michael D. Read, John A. Roper, III, Brian J. Ninness, Evelyn L. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20150165466
    Abstract: An ultrasonic nebulizer includes a piezoelectric element that vibrates responsive to a drive signal having an alternating voltage. A nebulizing layer that may be a passive resonator is bonded to a first surface of the piezoelectric element and has an outer surface that transforms a liquid into a mist responsive to vibration of the piezoelectric element. The surface of the passive resonator may be textured to guide flow of liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Ron Hammer, Alan John Roper, Mark Junker
  • Publication number: 20150165465
    Abstract: An ultrasonic nebulizer includes a piezoelectric element that vibrates responsive to a drive signal having an alternating voltage. A nebulizing layer that may be a passive resonator is bonded to a first surface of the piezoelectric element and has an outer surface that transforms a liquid into a mist responsive to vibration of the piezoelectric element. A heat sink pad is in thermal contact with a heat sink and the passive resonator to dissipate heat from the piezoelectric element. The surface of the passive resonator may be roughened to guide flow of liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Ron Hammer, Alan John Roper
  • Publication number: 20150073134
    Abstract: The present invention is a multilayered composite comprising porous metal oxide particles that are covalently bonded by way of inorganic ether groups to one or more sites of a first polyhydroxyl-functionalized polymer. This first polymer is in turn covalently bonded by way of inorganic ether groups to one or more sites of a second polyhydroxyl-functionalized polymer. The multilayered composites can be prepared by contacting porous inorganic-oxide particles with a sufficient amount of OH-reactive crosslinking agent to form metal oxide particles imbibed with the crosslinking agent, and then contacting the inorganic-oxide particles with a solution of polyhydroxyl-functionalized polymer under reactive conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Rohm and Haas Company, Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Jankolovits, Alexander S. Katz, Oz M. Gazit, James C. Bohling, John A. Roper, III
  • Patent number: 8949252
    Abstract: A weighted combination of attributes including but not limited to color, shape, pattern, brand, style, size, and material may be used to rank items when searching for similar items of a given category on an ecommerce system website. The weights on each attribute may be optimized by using feedback from users, the feedback indicating the importance of each attribute to a purchaser when searching for similar items of various categories. Alternatively, click-through patterns from the ecommerce system website can be mined and used to optimize the importance of each attribute to users by item category. The optimum attribute weights for that items category are used to rank the results in a search for similar items in that category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Naren Chittar, Sandip Gaikwad, Sanjay Pundlkrao Ghatare, Ryan McDonald, John Roper
  • Publication number: 20140324836
    Abstract: A first database search is performed for images similar to a first query image, and a first plurality of images that result from the first database search are provided. The first plurality of images are selectable to provide a second query image. A second database search is performed for images similar to the second query image, and a second plurality of images that result from the second search are provided. The second plurality of images are selectable to provide a third query image. A third database search is performed for images similar to the third query image; and a third plurality of images that result from the third database search are provided. The third plurality of images are selectable for providing a fourth query image. The search can continue to additional depths. Similarity may be determined by pixel color gradients using windows of computation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Naren Chittar, Sanjay Pundlkrao Ghatare, Ryan McDonald, John Roper, Michael Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20140317279
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer implemented method of identifying in a network of interconnected devices a path through the network from a source device to a final destination device, the path comprising a connected sequence of devices, the method comprising at a monitor computer connected to the network: identifying a first device connected to the source device; transmitting a first query to the first device, the query including a destination identifier and requesting identification of an egress port for messages addressed to the destination identified by the destination identifier when the query is received at the first device; receiving a result message identifying the egress port and identifying the second device connected to the first device based on a network topology accessible by the monitor computer; and addressing a next query to the second device and receiving a next result message identifying an egress port from the second device; and identifying from the network topology a third device connec
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Entuity Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey John Roper
  • Publication number: 20140313931
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer implemented method of identifying an egress port of a focus device connected in a computer network, the method being implemented at a monitor computer connected to the network and comprising: generating a query message to the focus device, the query message including an address identifying the device and a query key formulated based on a destination identifier, and including an instruction readable at the device to return the result message including identification of an egress port for messages addressed to the destination identified in the destination identifier when the query message is received at the device; receiving a result message at the monitor computer; reading the result message, and where the result message does not identify an egress port autonomously generating at least one subsequent query message; including at least one of (i) a different address for a different device connected in the computer network, and (ii) a different query key, selected by the monito
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Entuity Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey John Roper
  • Publication number: 20140313937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer implemented method of identifying a next hop from a focus device in a path of interconnected devices including switching and routing devices, wherein a switching device operates according to a switching address protocol and a routing device operates according to a routing address protocol, the method implemented at a management computer having a query path to the interconnected devices and comprising: for a focus device which is configured to receive traffic addressed to a terminal destination and to act as a routing device for the traffic, dispatching a query message containing a query key based on a destination identifier for the terminal destination from the management computer to the focus device to identify the next routing address for traffic addressed to the terminal destination; receiving a result message containing a new routing address which is the next routing address; and ascertaining from the new routing address the corresponding switching address which is the
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Entuity Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey John Roper
  • Publication number: 20140314086
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer implemented method of querying a traffic forwarding table at a device in a computer network, the traffic forwarding table having entries which are accessible using a key, the method comprising: identifying a forwarding address for use in querying the traffic forwarding table, wherein the forwarding address constitutes only part of a key and wherein a remaining part of the key is an embedded index in the traffic forwarding table; combining the forwarding address with a plurality of embedded indices of the traffic forwarding table to generate a set of keys for querying the traffic forwarding table; and generating a query message for the forwarding table using at least one of said set of keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Entuity Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey John Roper
  • Patent number: 8861844
    Abstract: A system and method, which may be an offline method, extracts relevant image features about listing items in a network-based publication system for enabling image similarity searching of such listing items. When a seller lists an item, an image of the item is uploaded and may be sent to a picture processing service, which generates several digests. The digests are compressed data structures each representing a particular image feature such as edge, color, texture, or words. These digests are then stored in a search database, where the digests can be used to retrieve listings by image similarity at scale. A similar process can be performed for a query listing for searching the search database for items similar to the query listing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Naren Chittar, Sanjay Pundlkrao Ghatare, Ryan McDonald, John Roper, Michael Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20140295173
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate comprising coated or uncoated paperboard coated with a film that comprises a polymeric binder, TiO2, and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate. Paper or paperboard coated with a film containing tetrapotassium pyrophosphate shows excellent optical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Kalihari, John A. Roper, III
  • Publication number: 20140272389
    Abstract: The present invention is a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of polymeric binder particles containing a substantial absence of phosphate and phosphonate groups; rutile TiO2 having a purity of at least 98% and a substantial absence of inorganic silica; and a dispersant which is a class of low molecular weight polyphosphates. The composition of the present invention is useful as a coating for paper or paperboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: ROHM AND HAAS COMPANY, DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Frey, Wei Gao, John A. Roper, III, James Watson
  • Patent number: 8768775
    Abstract: Systems, methods and articles for automating the process of registering a product purchased by a consumer from a merchant in a purchase transaction. Product data including product identification data is obtained from a merchant electronic point of sale system as the consumer checks out. The product data is then automatically transmitted to a product registration system, such as via a consumer's mobile communication device having a product registration app. An auto-registration database is accessed to see if auto-registration is available for the product. If auto-registration is available for the product, then a request is made to the consumer to authorize auto-registration for the product. If the consumer accepts the auto-registration, then consumer data, such as the consumer name and contact information, is sent to the product registration system. The product registration system then creates a product registration record using the product data and the consumer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Colin John Roper, Christian Gregory Dalit
  • Patent number: 8722815
    Abstract: A two-package moisture curable composition is provided. The composition comprises a first part comprising at least one silane terminated polyurethane and a second part comprising at least one silanol terminated polysiloxane; wherein the silane terminated polyurethane based polymer has at least one end group of the general formula: —A—(CH2)m-SiR1n(OR2)3-n, where A is a urethane or urea linkage group, R1 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, aryl and (meth)acryloxyalkyl groups, R2 is each substituted or unsubstituted C1-1-8 alkyl or C6-C20 aryl groups, m is an integer from 1 to 60 and n is an integer from 0 to 1; wherein the silane terminated polyurethane is prepared using natural oil polyols and their derivatives; and wherein the composition, after moisture cured, forms a surface whose water contact angle is larger than 101°. The composition is suitable for applications in antifouling coatings which afford low surface energy and improved mechanical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Yan Huang, Hongyu Chen, John Roper, III, Christopher Tucker, Gerald Vandezande, Yanxiang Li, Yu Zhang