Patents by Inventor Paul C. Ning

Paul C. Ning 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).

  • Publication number: 20180047044
    Abstract: A system can determine that a mobile device, located at a physical place of business transmits a first electronic communication for redemption of an electronic offer at the physical place of business. The system can further detect a second electronic communication transmitted from the mobile device, which indicates a first identifier. The first identifier can be associated with a verifier of the electronic offer (e.g., a staff member) at the physical place of business. The system can further determine, based on analysis of the first identifier, a second identifier (e.g., contact data, a telephone number, etc.), that corresponds to the verifier, without providing the second identifier to the mobile device. The system can further electronically transmit, utilizing the second identifier, a third electronic communication that indicates information about the redemption of the electronic offer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Patent number: 9824371
    Abstract: A system can determine that a mobile device, located at a physical place of business transmits a first electronic communication for redemption of an electronic offer at the physical place of business. The system can further detect a second electronic communication transmitted from the mobile device, which indicates a first identifier. The first identifier can be associated with a verifier of the electronic offer (e.g., a staff member) at the physical place of business. The system can further determine, based on analysis of the first identifier, a second identifier (e.g., contact data, a telephone number, etc.), that corresponds to the verifier, without providing the second identifier to the mobile device. The system can further electronically transmit, utilizing the second identifier, a third electronic communication that indicates information about the redemption of the electronic offer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20160182431
    Abstract: A referrer device configured to perform operations such as detecting an electronic request to provide information from an information source to a contact communication device. The contact data for a contact associated with the contact communication device is accessible by the referrer device. However, the contact data is not accessible by the information source. The operations can further include encoding a referral container file with programming instructions configured to, upon execution by a processor of the contact communication device, cause the contact communication device to electronically request the information from the information source via a communications network without providing the contact data to the information source. The operations can further include embedding the referral container file in an electronic message and transmitting, via a network communication interface of the referrer device, the electronic message to the contact communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20160048863
    Abstract: A system can determine that a mobile device, located at a physical place of business transmits a first electronic communication for redemption of an electronic offer at the physical place of business. The system can further detect a second electronic communication transmitted from the mobile device, which indicates a first identifier. The first identifier can be associated with a verifier of the electronic offer (e.g., a staff member) at the physical place of business. The system can further determine, based on analysis of the first identifier, a second identifier (e.g., contact data, a telephone number, etc.), that corresponds to the verifier, without providing the second identifier to the mobile device. The system can further electronically transmit, utilizing the second identifier, a third electronic communication that indicates information about the redemption of the electronic offer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Patent number: 9235842
    Abstract: The subject invention provides an information source, such as an advertiser or product vendor, with a method for transferring information to contacts for which the information source has no contact data. The information source stores information in an information database which communicates the information to a referrer which has the desired contact data. The referrer uses a communication device to transfer the information to one or more contacts using contact data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Patent number: 9105039
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for providing mobile alerts to members of a social network upon the occurrence of certain trigger events related to the social network, including member-trigger events, venue-trigger events, and other-trigger events. A member may select and edit their own mobile-alert settings that determine which events are trigger events. The member may enable or disable all their mobile alerts using a single action, such as toggling a digital button on their phone screen. A data processor receives indication of, or determines occurrence of, a trigger event. The data processor then determines whether to communicate a mobile alert to the member based on the member's mobile-alert settings. The alert may be communicated to the member's mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, using a variety of convenient means, such as a text message or Push Notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20140195322
    Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Patent number: 8583447
    Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20130282490
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a service to promoters, including venues and advertising sponsors, who wish to provide promotions. The service includes making promoter promotions accessible by the mobile phones of members associated with an organization. Typically a promotion and member are matched based on the member's geographical position, which may be reported by the member or determined automatically during a transaction, a promotion redemption, or by a position sensor in their mobile phone. A promotion and member are optionally matched by the member's traits and behaviors. In addition to accessing promotions, members have mobile access to real-time information about the venues, such as the demographics of venue attendees and media posted by attendees concerning venue characteristics. Using the system, venues can determine who is shopping nearby and can send promotions to their phones, and members can know before going which venues have promotions and their preferred attendee demographic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20130137464
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for providing mobile alerts to members of a social network upon the occurrence of certain trigger events related to the social network, including member-trigger events, venue-trigger events, and other-trigger events. A member may select and edit their own mobile-alert settings that determine which events are trigger events. The member may enable or disable all their mobile alerts using a single action, such as toggling a digital button on their phone screen. A data processor receives indication of, or determines occurrence of, a trigger event. The data processor then determines whether to communicate a mobile alert to the member based on the member's mobile-alert settings. The alert may be communicated to the member's mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, using a variety of convenient means, such as a text message or Push Notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Hoozware, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20120089453
    Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: HOOZWARE, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Patent number: 8103519
    Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hoozware, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20110093340
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a service to promoters, including venues and advertising sponsors, who wish to provide promotions. The service includes making promoter promotions accessible by the mobile phones of members associated with an organization. Typically a promotion and member are matched based on the member's geographical position, which may be reported by the member or determined automatically during a transaction, a promotion redemption, or by a position sensor in their mobile phone. A promotion and member are optionally matched by the member's traits and behaviors. In addition to accessing promotions, members have mobile access to real-time information about the venues, such as the demographics of venue attendees and media posted by attendees concerning venue characteristics. Using the system, venues can determine who is shopping nearby and can send promotions to their phones, and members can know before going which venues have promotions and their preferred attendee demographic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: HOOZWARE, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Patent number: 7856360
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a service to promoters, including venues and advertising sponsors, who wish to provide promotions. The service includes making promoter promotions accessible by the mobile phones of members associated with an organization. Typically a promotion and member are matched based on the member's geographical position, which may be reported by the member or determined automatically by a position sensor in their mobile phone, and optionally by the member's traits and behaviors. By accepting a promotion, a member may receive reward points which can be used to obtain goods and services. In addition to accessing promotions, members have mobile access to real-time information about the venues, such as the demographics of venue attendees and media posted by attendees concerning venue characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hoozware, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20100223097
    Abstract: The subject invention provides an information source, such as an advertiser or product vendor, with a method for transferring information to contacts for which the information source has no contact data. The information source stores information in an information database which communicates the information to a referrer which has the desired contact data. The referrer uses a communication device to transfer the information to one or more contacts using contact data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: HOOZWARE, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20090024477
    Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: HOOZWARE, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Publication number: 20080306826
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a service to promoters, including venues and advertising sponsors, who wish to provide promotions. The service includes making promoter promotions accessible by the mobile phones of members associated with an organization. Typically a promotion and member are matched based on the member's geographical position, which may be reported by the member or determined automatically by a position sensor in their mobile phone, and optionally by the member's traits and behaviors. By accepting a promotion, a member may receive reward points which can be used to obtain goods and services. In addition to accessing promotions, members have mobile access to real-time information about the venues, such as the demographics of venue attendees and media posted by attendees concerning venue characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: HOOZWARE, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning