Patents by Inventor Matthew Berk

Matthew Berk 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: 10348896
    Abstract: A facility and method for analyzing and classifying calls without transcription. The facility analyzes individual frames of an audio to identify speech and measure the amount of time spent in speech for each channel (e.g., caller channel, agent channel). Additional telephony metrics such as R-factor or MOS score and other metadata may be factored in as audio analysis inputs. The facility then analyzes the frames together as a whole and formulates a clustered-frame representation of a conversation to further identify dialog patterns and characterize call classification. Based on the data in the clustered-frame representation, the facility is able to make estimations of call classification. The correlation of dialog patterns to call classification may be utilized to develop targeted solutions for call classification issues, target certain advertising channels over others, evaluate advertising placements at scale, score callers, and to identify spammers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Kolbegger, Jason Flaks, Tim Graber, Bryan Rieger, Ziad Ismail, Govindaraj Ramanathan, Darren Spehr, Matthew Berk
  • Publication number: 20170366668
    Abstract: A facility and method for analyzing and classifying calls without transcription. The facility analyzes individual frames of an audio to identify speech and measure the amount of time spent in speech for each channel (e.g., caller channel, agent channel). Additional telephony metrics such as R-factor or MOS score and other metadata may be factored in as audio analysis inputs. The facility then analyzes the frames together as a whole and formulates a clustered-frame representation of a conversation to further identify dialogue patterns and characterize call classification. Based on the data in the clustered-frame representation, the facility is able to make estimations of call classification. The correlation of dialogue patterns to call classification may be utilized to develop targeted solutions for call classification issues, target certain advertising channels over others, evaluate advertising placements at scale, score callers, and to identify spammers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Kolbegger, Jason Flaks, Tim Graber, Bryan Rieger, Ziad Ismail, Govindaraj Ramanathan, Darren Spehr, Matthew Berk
  • Publication number: 20170277799
    Abstract: A system that allows individuals to maintain lists of items of interest in an account, such as books, restaurants, hotels, clothes, etc. An individual can mark items in their account as recommended, after which other individuals in their sharing network can view the recommended items as grouped into categories. Items are displayed with action links (e.g. for purchasing, reservations, mapping, etc.) In an explore view categories are displayed for all of the combined recommended items from all of the individuals in the viewer's sharing network. When a category is selected from the explore view, an indication is provided for each item as to the individual who marked the item as recommended. An individual viewing a recommended item may also save the item to their own account as one to try later. The distribution of items between individuals through recommendations can be temporally and geographically mapped to identify patterns of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew Berk, Ryan Fritzky
  • Patent number: 9614962
    Abstract: A facility and method for analyzing and classifying calls without transcription. The facility analyzes individual frames of an audio to identify speech and measure the amount of time spent in speech for each channel (e.g., caller channel, agent channel). Additional telephony metrics such as R-factor or MOS score and other metadata may be factored in as audio analysis inputs. The facility then analyzes the frames together as a whole and formulates a clustered-frame representation of a conversation to further identify dialog patterns and characterize call classification. Based on the data in the clustered-frame representation, the facility is able to make estimations of call classification. The correlation of dialog patterns to call classification may be utilized to develop targeted solutions for call classification issues, target certain advertising channels over others, evaluate advertising placements at scale, score callers, and to identify spammers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Kolbegger, Jason Flaks, Tim Graber, Bryan Rieger, Ziad Ismail, Govindaraj Ramanathan, Darren Spehr, Matthew Berk
  • Patent number: 9524346
    Abstract: A system that allows individuals to maintain lists of items of interest in an account, such as books, restaurants, hotels, clothes, etc. An individual can mark items in their account as recommended, after which other individuals in their sharing network can view the recommended items as grouped into categories. Items are displayed with action links (e.g. for purchasing, reservations, mapping, etc.) In an explore view categories are displayed for all of the combined recommended items from all of the individuals in the viewer's sharing network. When a category is selected from the explore view, an indication is provided for each item as to the individual who marked the item as recommended. An individual viewing a recommended item may also save the item to their own account as one to try later. The distribution of items between individuals through recommendations can be temporally and geographically mapped to identify patterns of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Lucky Oyster, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Berk, Ryan Fritzky
  • Publication number: 20150365530
    Abstract: A facility and method for analyzing and classifying calls without transcription. The facility analyzes individual frames of an audio to identify speech and measure the amount of time spent in speech for each channel (e.g., caller channel, agent channel). Additional telephony metrics such as R-factor or MOS score and other metadata may be factored in as audio analysis inputs. The facility then analyzes the frames together as a whole and formulates a clustered-frame representation of a conversation to further identify dialogue patterns and characterize call classification. Based on the data in the clustered-frame representation, the facility is able to make estimations of call classification. The correlation of dialogue patterns to call classification may be utilized to develop targeted solutions for call classification issues, target certain advertising channels over others, evaluate advertising placements at scale, score callers, and to identify spammers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Kolbegger, Jason Flaks, Tim Graber, Bryan Rieger, Ziad Ismail, Govindaraj Ramanathan, Darren Spehr, Matthew Berk
  • Patent number: 9135650
    Abstract: A system that allows individuals to maintain lists of items of interest in an account, such as books, restaurants, hotels, clothes, etc. The system allows an individual to share an item in a list with another individual. When an individual wishes to share an item, the system may generate a share message to be sent by a selected method to a recipient. The share message may include a link for allowing the recipient to view the item on the system and provide a mechanism for allowing the recipient to accept or decline the share. The acceptance or, in particular, the rejection of the share establishes a positive or negative relationship between each individual and the item. The sharing of Items between individuals can be temporally and geographically mapped to identify patterns of interest, the value of an item to one or more people, or the strength of the bond between two or more people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Lucky Oyster, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Berk, Ryan Fritzky
  • Patent number: 9118751
    Abstract: A facility and method for analyzing and classifying calls without transcription. The facility analyzes individual frames of an audio to identify speech and measure the amount of time spent in speech for each channel (e.g., caller channel, agent channel). Additional telephony metrics such as R-factor or MOS score and other metadata may be factored in as audio analysis inputs. The facility then analyzes the frames together as a whole and formulates a clustered-frame representation of a conversation to further identify dialogue patterns and characterize call classification. Based on the data in the clustered-frame representation, the facility is able to make estimations of call classification. The correlation of dialogue patterns to call classification may be utilized to develop targeted solutions for call classification issues, target certain advertising channels over others, evaluate advertising placements at scale, score callers, and to identify spammers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Kolbegger, Jason Flaks, Tim Graber, Bryan Rieger, Ziad Ismail, Govindaraj Ramanathan, Darren Spehr, Matthew Berk
  • Patent number: 8929522
    Abstract: A system and method for customizing a connection interface that is displayed to a user and provides multiple modes for the user to connect to a telephone number. The multimodal connection interface may be triggered by a GUI event, such as the user selecting or pointing to a telephone number in a displayed web page. The connection interface provides multiple options for the user to connect to the phone number, such as by mobile phone or computer. In some embodiments, the system uses advertiser-defined rules to present a connection interface that includes additional details about the advertiser that is associated with the telephone number. In some embodiments, the system uses publisher-defined rules to present a connection interface that includes information about the advertiser as well as other related businesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Berk
  • Publication number: 20140280176
    Abstract: A system that allows individuals to maintain lists of items of interest in an account, such as books, restaurants, hotels, clothes, etc. An individual can mark items in their account as recommended, after which other individuals in their sharing network can view the recommended items as grouped into categories. Items are displayed with action links (e.g. for purchasing, reservations, mapping, etc.) In an explore view categories are displayed for all of the combined recommended items from all of the individuals in the viewer's sharing network. When a category is selected from the explore view, an indication is provided for each item as to the individual who marked the item as recommended. An individual viewing a recommended item may also save the item to their own account as one to try later. The distribution of items between individuals through recommendations can be temporally and geographically mapped to identify patterns of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew Berk, Ryan Fritzky
  • Publication number: 20140279198
    Abstract: A system that allows individuals to maintain lists of items of interest in an account, such as books, restaurants, hotels, clothes, etc. The system allows an individual to share an item in a list with another individual. When an individual wishes to share an item, the system may generate a share message to be sent by a selected method to a recipient. The share message may include a link for allowing the recipient to view the item on the system and provide a mechanism for allowing the recipient to accept or decline the share. The acceptance or, in particular, the rejection of the share establishes a positive or negative relationship between each individual and the item. The sharing of Items between individuals can be temporally and geographically mapped to identify patterns of interest, the value of an item to one or more people, or the strength of the bond between two or more people.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew Berk, Ryan Fritzky
  • Publication number: 20140270114
    Abstract: A facility and method for analyzing and classifying calls without transcription. The facility analyzes individual frames of an audio to identify speech and measure the amount of time spent in speech for each channel (e.g., caller channel, agent channel). Additional telephony metrics such as R-factor or MOS score and other metadata may be factored in as audio analysis inputs. The facility then analyzes the frames together as a whole and formulates a clustered-frame representation of a conversation to further identify dialogue patterns and characterize call classification. Based on the data in the clustered-frame representation, the facility is able to make estimations of call classification. The correlation of dialogue patterns to call classification may be utilized to develop targeted solutions for call classification issues, target certain advertising channels over others, evaluate advertising placements at scale, score callers, and to identify spammers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MARCHEX, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Kolbegger, Jason Flaks, Tim Graber, Bryan Rieger, Ziad Ismail, Govindaraj Ramanathan, Darren Spehr, Matthew Berk
  • Patent number: 8788344
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing information associated with voice calls placed during a telephone number advertising campaign is described. The system receives information characterizing voice calls to advertiser telephone numbers and information from advertisers such as information about the outcome of the voice call (e.g., conversion information). The system correlates the voice call information with the advertiser information and generates reports based on the correlated information. The system can perform or enable the performance of other actions based on the correlated information. For example, the system may modify an ongoing advertising campaign based on an analysis of the correlated information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Berk
  • Publication number: 20140133639
    Abstract: A system and method for customizing a connection interface that is displayed to a user and provides multiple modes for the user to connect to a telephone number. The multimodal connection interface may be triggered by a GUI event, such as the user selecting or pointing to a telephone number in a displayed web page. The connection interface provides multiple options for the user to connect to the phone number, such as by mobile phone or computer. In some embodiments, the system uses advertiser-defined rules to present a connection interface that includes additional details about the advertiser that is associated with the telephone number. In some embodiments, the system uses publisher-defined rules to present a connection interface that includes information about the advertiser as well as other related businesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: MARCHEX, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Berk
  • Patent number: 8713104
    Abstract: A system in which a sharing network is determined through the sharing and acceptance of items by individuals. Individuals are able to maintain lists of items of interest in an account, such as books, restaurants, hotels, clothes, etc. The system allows an individual to share an item in a list with another individual, and the recipient is able to accept or decline the share. If the recipient accepts the share, a sharing network is established between the individuals. An individual is able to view recommended items in the accounts of other individuals who are within their sharing network. The establishment of sharing networks and the associated distribution of items between individuals can be analyzed to determine the strength of the bond between two or more individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lucky Oyster, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Berk, Ryan Fritzky
  • Patent number: 8671020
    Abstract: A call tracking system and method that uses a pooling algorithm to manage a pool of telephone numbers that are utilized in advertisements. The pooling algorithm allows adjustments to be made to the pool in order to achieve a desired degree of call tracking accuracy performed by the system. The pooling algorithm may adjust the pool in terms of size, quality, or other metric, and assign phone numbers so as to meet the desired accuracy requirements. While additional numbers in a pool may increase accuracy, fewer numbers result in lower cost, and a balance may be struck based on the requirements of an advertiser. When a phone number is to be provided for an advertising campaign, the phone number may be selected from the pool randomly, in round-robin fashion, or according to criteria related to expected accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventors: Amanda Morrison, Ambrose Sterr, Govind Ramanathan, Matthew Berk, Ziad Ismail
  • Patent number: 8630393
    Abstract: A facility for blocking telephone calls is described. The facility is implemented by a telecommunications system that manages assigned and unassigned telephone numbers. The facility determines that a call originator has made two telephone calls to two different unassigned telephone numbers. The facility adds the call originator to a blacklist for a default time period. If the call originator calls any managed telephone number during the default time period, the facility renews the default time period. After the default time period expires, if the call originator makes additional telephone calls to other unassigned telephone numbers, the facility adds the call originator to the blacklist for a time period that is increased from the default time period. The facility increases the time period with each additional call to an unassigned telephone number. Accordingly, the time period is a function of the number of unassigned telephone numbers called by the call originator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryce Baril, Matthew Berk
  • Patent number: 8583571
    Abstract: A facility for the reconciliation of data records pertaining to business entities. One or more fitness functions are applied to fields contained in two conflicting data records to assess the similarity of each field. The results of the fitness functions are then weighted and combined to assess the likelihood that the two data records are associated with the same business entity. When the weighted fitness functions are applied to conflicting data records, the fitness functions generate a confidence level that the compared records are associated with the same business entity. If the confidence level exceeds a certain threshold, the facility accepts that the data records refer to the same business entity and synthesizes a business record from the data records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Spehr, John Aegard, Matthew Berk
  • Patent number: 8433048
    Abstract: A system and method for highlighting telephone numbers that are sponsored by advertisers on electronic content, and directing voice calls to those numbers to the corresponding advertiser. The call advertising system receives parameters of an advertising campaign from an advertiser, including telephone numbers in the campaign and an amount per call that the advertiser is willing to pay. The call advertising system transmits an indication of the advertised telephone numbers to a voice communication system. The voice communication system, upon determining that a campaign number is contained in electronic content, can to indicate to users that a call can be made at a rate reduced from what a user would normally pay in order. When the user calls the number, the voice communications system directs the call to the advertiser. The call advertising system tracks the call so that the advertiser can be charged the per-call amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Berk
  • Publication number: 20130094641
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing information associated with voice calls placed during a telephone number advertising campaign is described. The system receives information characterizing voice calls to advertiser telephone numbers and information from advertisers such as information about the outcome of the voice call (e.g., conversion information). The system correlates the voice call information with the advertiser information and generates reports based on the correlated information. The system can perform or enable the performance of other actions based on the correlated information. For example, the system may modify an ongoing advertising campaign based on an analysis of the correlated information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Marchex, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Berk