Patents by Inventor Michael W. Tracy

Michael W. Tracy 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: 9634997
    Abstract: Some aspects provide a method and system for providing a user with an anonymous identity. Some aspects receive a request to switch an account associated with a web service to an anonymous account. Some aspects provide login credentials associated with the anonymous account to the web service. The anonymous account is randomly generated by a service that is different from the web service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: STORYCLOUD INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Kalb, Michael W. Tracy, Barry Shapira
  • Patent number: 9576255
    Abstract: The system provides a method and apparatus for providing controlled access to events, premises, transportation, and the like. In one embodiment, the system provides a ticket that is tied to a user and/or a device. The ticket in one embodiment comprises a dynamic link whose privileges and permissions can be controlled by a system controller so that use, re-use, and re-sale of the ticket can be controlled by the issuer and not by a purchaser or user. The system in one embodiment uses a reader/scanner associated with a controlled entrance that can receive tickets via scanning or some other form of electronic communication. In one embodiment, the system uses radio signals, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication) from a mobile device to determine if access should be granted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: STORYCLOUD INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Kalb, Michael W. Tracy, Thomas H. Buscher, Christina Liao
  • Patent number: 9508207
    Abstract: The system provides a method and apparatus for providing controlled access to premises. The system in one embodiment uses a reader/scanner associated with a controlled entrance that can receive credentials manually or via scanning or some other form of electronic communication. In one embodiment, the system uses NFC (Near Field Communication) from a mobile device to determine if access should be granted. The system contemplates a number of different tiers of users whose right of access to a location depends on the tier in which the user resides. For one time visitors, the system contemplates transmitting an access credential that can be used by a specific user for a limited time period. In some cases, the access credential is tied to a particular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: StoryCloud Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Kalb, Michael W. Tracy, Barry Shapira
  • Publication number: 20160110899
    Abstract: Some aspects provide methods and systems that create storylines. The methods and systems receive subject information and storyline content for the storyline. The methods and systems generate the storyline with the story line content in chronological order and transmit the storyline for presentation on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. KALB, Michael W. Tracy, Barry Shapira
  • Publication number: 20160112829
    Abstract: Some aspects of the content broadcasting service provide a method and system that maintains content and associated geographic information. The method and system receives a geographic location of a device. The method and system enables access of the content to the device based on the geographic information and geographic location of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. KALB, Michael W. Tracy, Barry Shapira
  • Publication number: 20160078699
    Abstract: The system provides a method and apparatus for providing controlled access to premises. The system in one embodiment uses a reader/scanner associated with a controlled entrance that can receive credentials manually or via scanning or some other form of electronic communication. In one embodiment, the system uses NFC (Near Field Communication) from a mobile device to determine if access should be granted. The system contemplates a number of different tiers of users whose right of access to a location depends on the tier in which the user resides. For one time visitors, the system contemplates transmitting an access credential that can be used by a specific user for a limited time period. In some cases, the access credential is tied to a particular device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. KALB, Michael W. Tracy, Barry Shapira
  • Publication number: 20160070925
    Abstract: The system provides a method and apparatus for allowing the creation of customized private social networks through a dashboard interface. A user invokes the social network building interface and selects desired features for the network by selecting one of a plurality of possible features. When a feature is selected, the system guides the user through parameters and metrics to implement that feature as desired by the user. The system is implemented through a cloud based architecture that provides components that are used in the private social network, including services such as database, caching, load balancing, security, encryption, dynamic link control, and others. These services and components are accessed and invoked through a series of function calls through an API that allows the creation of a scalable number of private social networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. KALB, Michael W. Tracy, Barry Shapira, Christina LIAO
  • Publication number: 20160043980
    Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure describe a method and system for receiving an electronic communication from an account associated with a physical address. The method and apparatus provides a dynamic link to the electronic communication that is accessible to at least one recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. KALB, Michael W. Tracy, Barry Shapira
  • Publication number: 20160014093
    Abstract: Some aspects provide a method and system for providing a user with an anonymous identity. Some aspects receive a request to switch an account associated with a web service to an anonymous account. Some aspects provide login credentials associated with the anonymous account to the web service. The anonymous account is randomly generated by a service that is different from the web service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. KALB, Michael W. Tracy, Barry Shapira