Patents by Inventor Miles Libbey

Miles Libbey 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: 8381262
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards detecting and reporting use by a domain of a message authentication mechanism, such as DomainKeys (DK), and/or DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and enabling subsequent blocking of messages based, in part, on its usage. When a message is received by an inbound message server, a message source is determined for the message. In one embodiment, the message source is a domain name associated with the sender of the message. Statistics are recorded about the message, including the message source, whether the message is suspect, includes a forged source identifier, employs DK/DKIM message authentication, and the like. The reports may then be sent to various message sources to enable them to determine the extent of use of DK/DKIM message authentication, and to selectively block, re-direct, or forward the messages based, in part, on the use of DK/DKIM message authentication mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Risher, Mark Delany, Anirban Kundu, Miles A. Libbey, IV, Masumi Taketomi
  • Patent number: 8209381
    Abstract: A self training set of robots are configured to proactively search for selective communication abuses over a network. Robots may enter a chat room to proactively send messages. The robots then analyze patterns and/or content of a received message for potential abuse. Robots may also passively reside on/off line without publishing their network address. If a message is received, the message may be interpreted to be SPAM/SPIM. Robots may also perform a variety of other actions, such as access websites, and analyze received messages to determine if the messages indicate abuse. If abuse is detected, information may also be obtained to enable blocking or filtering of future messages from the sender, or access to/from an abusive website. The information also may be used to retrain robots, so that the robots may learn from and share their collective knowledge of abusive actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sinn, Miles Libbey
  • Patent number: 8052521
    Abstract: Techniques are provide for linking actions in an online fantasy sports game to a currency balance associated with a user of the game. The techniques adjust the balance by a first quantity in response to a sports player action, where the first quantity is based upon the player action, and adjust the balance by a second quantity in response to transfer of a sports player to or from a fantasy sports team associated with the user, where the second quantity is based upon a value of the sports player; and, prevent transfer of the sports player to the fantasy sports team in response to the second quantity being greater than the balance. The currency balance may be increased by the first quantity in response to the sports player action. The sports player action may include scoring a number of game points, and the first quantity may be based upon the number of game points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Webb, Miles A. Libbey, IV
  • Patent number: 7950047
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards detecting and reporting use by a domain of a message authentication mechanism, such as DomainKeys (DK), and/or DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and enabling subsequent blocking of messages based, in part, on its usage. When a message is received by an inbound message server, a message source is determined for the message. In one embodiment, the message source is a domain name associated with the sender of the message. Statistics are recorded about the message, including the message source, whether the message is suspect, includes a forged source identifier, employs DK/DKIM message authentication, and the like. The reports may ten be sent to various message sources to enable them to determine the extent of use of DK/DKIM message authentication, and to selectively block, re-direct, or forward the messages based, in part, on the use of DK/DKIM message authentication mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Risher, Mark Delany, Anirban Kundu, Miles A. Libbey, IV, Masumi Taketomi
  • Patent number: 7937468
    Abstract: A network device and method are directed towards detecting and blocking spam within a message by rapidly performing a predication analysis based on early received sender reputation reports. Reputation reports may be received from a plurality of users receiving messages that they interpret as either spam or non-spam. A reputation report rate prediction table is employed to predict the total number of user reports that will occur. The total number of spam reports and not spam (ham) reports for may then be used with a sender categorization model to rapidly predict whether the sender is likely to be a spammer. If the sender is determined to be a spammer, various preventative actions may be taken, including, but not limited to blocking messages from the sender to users, alerting third party filter generators of the spammer, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Miles Libbey, F. Randall Farmer, Mohammad Mohsenzadeh, Chip Morningstar, Neal Sample
  • Patent number: 7856477
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for determining if a “spam” message is originating from a messaging account by challenging a particular client's outbound email usage with a test that requires verification of content that is easily understood by a human being, not an automated computer program such as those used by “spammers.” If a limit on the number of recipients for outbound messages has been exceeded, a test is presented the next time a client attempts to send a message. The client must successfully answer the test within a relatively short period of time or else the ability to send messages will be disabled. Once disabled, the client can reinstate the ability to send messages by contacting a representative of the message system out of band, e.g., a telephone call to confirm legitimate outbound email use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Miles Libbey, Len Fenkel, Jing Zhu, Steven Kenichi Yoshimoto
  • Publication number: 20090325685
    Abstract: Techniques are provide for linking actions in an online fantasy sports game to a currency balance associated with a user of the game. The techniques adjust the balance by a first quantity in response to a sports player action, where the first quantity is based upon the player action, and adjust the balance by a second quantity in response to transfer of a sports player to or from a fantasy sports team associated with the user, where the second quantity is based upon a value of the sports player; and, prevent transfer of the sports player to the fantasy sports team in response to the second quantity being greater than the balance. The currency balance may be increased by the first quantity in response to the sports player action. The sports player action may include scoring a number of game points, and the first quantity may be based upon the number of game points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: YAHOO! INC.
    Inventors: Brian A. Webb, Miles A. Libbey, IV
  • Publication number: 20090216842
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards detecting and reporting use by a domain of a message authentication mechanism, such as DomainKeys (DK), and/or DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and enabling subsequent blocking of messages based, in part, on its usage. When a message is received by an inbound message server, a message source is determined for the message. In one embodiment, the message source is a domain name associated with the sender of the message. Statistics are recorded about the message, including the message source, whether the message is suspect, includes a forged source identifier, employs DK/DKIM message authentication, and the like. The reports may ten be sent to various message sources to enable them to determine the extent of use of DK/DKIM message authentication, and to selectively block, re-direct, or forward the messages based, in part, on the use of DK/DKIM message authentication mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Risher, Mark Delany, Anirban Kundu, Miles A. Libbey, IV, Masumi Taketomi
  • Publication number: 20090210501
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards detecting and reporting use by a domain of a message authentication mechanism, such as DomainKeys (DK), and/or DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and enabling subsequent blocking of messages based, in part, on its usage. When a message is received by an inbound message server, a message source is determined for the message. In one embodiment, the message source is a domain name associated with the sender of the message. Statistics are recorded about the message, including the message source, whether the message is suspect, includes a forged source identifier, employs DK/DKIM message authentication, and the like. The reports may then be sent to various message sources to enable them to determine the extent of use of DK/DKIM message authentication, and to selectively block, re-direct, or forward the messages based, in part, on the use of DK/DKIM message authentication mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Risher, Mark Delany, Anirban Kundu, Miles A. Libbey, IV, Masumi Taketomi
  • Publication number: 20090013054
    Abstract: A network device and method are directed towards detecting and blocking spam within a message by rapidly performing a predication analysis based on early received sender reputation reports. Reputation reports may be received from a plurality of users receiving messages that they interpret as either spam or non-spam. A reputation report rate prediction table is employed to predict the total number of user reports that will occur. The total number of spam reports and not spam (ham) reports for may then be used with a sender categorization model to rapidly predict whether the sender is likely to be a spammer. If the sender is determined to be a spammer, various preventative actions may be taken, including, but not limited to blocking messages from the sender to users, alerting third party filter generators of the spammer, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Miles Libbey, F. Randall Farmer, Mohammad Mohsenzadeh, Chip Morningstar, Neal Sample
  • Publication number: 20090006532
    Abstract: Method, apparatus, and systems are directed to phishing detection and prevention in Instant Messaging (IM) environments. A variety of sources provide phishing data to a client phishing engine (CAE). The CAE may receive data from various applications local to the client device, from sources external to the client device, user input, and data from a plurality of other client devices. The CAE may employ the data to block access to a site and/or provide a warning message. At least some of the phishing data is provided to a centralized anti-phishing server (CAS) from a plurality of client devices. The CAS then attempts to use the received phishing data to search for the originator of the phishing site, and prevent future messages associated with the site. CAS will provide information about the detected phishing sites to a filtering application, such that the phishing site may be appropriately blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sinn, Miles Libbey, Linlong Jiang
  • Publication number: 20080177841
    Abstract: A self training set of robots are configured to proactively search for selective communication abuses over a network. Robots may enter a chat room to proactively send messages. The robots then analyze patterns and/or content of a received message for potential abuse. Robots may also passively reside on/off line without publishing their network address. If a message is received, the message may be interpreted to be SPAM/SPIM. Robots may also perform a variety of other actions, such as access websites, and analyze received messages to determine if the messages indicate abuse. If abuse is detected, information may also be obtained to enable blocking or filtering of future messages from the sender, or access to/from an abusive website. The information also may be used to retrain robots, so that the robots may learn from and share their collective knowledge of abusive actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sinn, Miles Libbey
  • Publication number: 20080046738
    Abstract: A phishing detection agent is provided. In one embodiment, a user's browser includes a plug-in application or agent that may capture a visual record of a webpage and, with a cached copy of known, authentic websites provided to it via periodic updates, perform a series of image comparison functions to determine if the suspected website is attempting to deceive the user. The phishing detection agent is capable of performing an image recognition algorithm, such as logo recognition algorithm, optical character recognition, an image similarity algorithm, or combination of two or more of the above. If the suspected webpage corresponds to one of the authentic web pages, but the domain name of the suspected web page does not match the domain name of one of the authentic web pages, the suspected web page is flagged as a phishing web site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Galloway, Bryan Mayes, Miles Libbey
  • Patent number: 7321922
    Abstract: The invention relates to determining electronic text communication distributed in bulk is likely solicited. In one step, a first electronic and a second electronic submission are received. It is determined that the first electronic submission is likely solicited. A first portion is extracted from the first electronic submission and a second portion from the second electronic submission. The content of the first electronic submission influences extraction of the first portion, and the content of the second electronic submission influences extraction of the second portion. A first code is determined for the first portion and a second code is determined for the second portion, where the first code is indicative of the first portion and the second code is indicative of the second portion. The first code is compared to the second code. It is determined that the second electronic submission is likely solicited, at least in part, in response to comparing the first code to the second code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Zheng, Bruce Hui-der Chu, Anirban Kundu, Miles A. Libbey, David H. Nakayama, Jing Zhu
  • Publication number: 20060206713
    Abstract: A method and system directed to the communication of the trust characteristics of electronic messages using visual and audio postmarks. The postmarks may represent a particular trust level on a continuum that can range from suspicious to trusted. A message system may determine the baseline trust level of a message and assign a postmark to the message. The postmark can communicate the trust level of the message to a user without requiring the message to be opened or read. In one embodiment of the invention the user can create rules and filters to classify messages by trust level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Hickman, Joshua Ramirez, Miles Libbey
  • Publication number: 20060041621
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards providing a Disposable Email Address (DEA) that may be employed, in part, to manage email spam. The DEA may be generated based, in part, on an end-user profile, a keyword, and a domain address. The DEA may be distinguishable from a non-DEA by a selection of at least one preserved character, such as a dash. Moreover, the DEA may be discarded at some time later, without affecting an end-user's ‘permanent’ email address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Miles Libbey
  • Publication number: 20060031313
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing unsolicited email messages, and the like, in part, by providing segmentation of an email inbox. In one embodiment, the email inbox is segmented into segments associated with a message from a trusted, trusted email address, an untrusted email address, and a segment for a bulk email message, such as spam, and the like. A determination that the message is from a trusted email address may be made based, in part, on whether the email address is associated with one's address book, a degree of separation that may be determined based on an association with another's address book, whether the email address was a sent email address, and the like. By segmenting the email inbox, the invention minimizes a risk associated with incorrectly discarding a message from a desired, but untrusted source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Miles Libbey, Brooke Thompson, Sidarth Khoshoo, Jeffrey Williams
  • Publication number: 20060031346
    Abstract: The invention relates to determining electronic text communication distributed in bulk is likely solicited. In one step, a first electronic and a second electronic submission are received. It is determined that the first electronic submission is likely solicited. A first portion is extracted from the first electronic submission and a second portion from the second electronic submission. The content of the first electronic submission influences extraction of the first portion, and the content of the second electronic submission influences extraction of the second portion. A first code is determined for the first portion and a second code is determined for the second portion, where the first code is indicative of the first portion and the second code is indicative of the second portion. The first code is compared to the second code. It is determined that the second electronic submission is likely solicited, at least in part, in response to comparing the first code to the second code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Zheng, Bruce Chu, Anirban Kundu, Miles Libbey, David Nakayama, Jing Zhu
  • Publication number: 20040199597
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for determining if a “spam” message is originating from a messaging account by challenging a particular client's outbound email usage with a test that requires verification of content that is easily understood by a human being, not an automated computer program such as those used by “spammers.” If a limit on the number of recipients for outbound messages has been exceeded, a test is presented the next time a client attempts to send a message. The client must successfully answer the test within a relatively short period of time or else the ability to send messages will be disabled. Once disabled, the client can reinstate the ability to send messages by contacting a representative of the message system out of band, e.g., a telephone call to confirm legitimate outbound email use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Miles Libbey, Len Fenkel, Jing Zhu, Steven K. Yoshimoto
  • Publication number: 20030059376
    Abstract: A formulation for non-invasive delivery of pharmaceutical agents, particularly proteins and peptides, by absorption through a membrane at a targeted site is provided, along with a process of making the formulation. The formulation comprises a suspension of solid-phase dehydrated particles in a delivery medium. The particles comprise the dehydration product of the pharmaceutical agent and at least one of a surfactant and permeation enhancer, and the delivery medium preferably comprises a propellant for pressurized aerosol delivery of the formulation. The formulation can be conveniently delivered to the patient's targeted site where the pharmaceutical agent is absorbed through the mucosa to achieve a desired bioavailability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Miles A. Libbey, Randall McCoy, Robert O. Williams