Patents by Inventor Stephen Lang

Stephen Lang 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: 11734732
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for calculating closing metrics regarding a contract between a promotion service and provider. A promotional system may calculate a probability of closing, and an estimated time to close. The promotion service may offer a promotion to consumers for a discounted product or service, to be honored by the provider. A category, lead source, historical data, stage in sales, and/or size of the provider may be used in calculating a probability of close and/or time to close. An example method may comprise supplying a classifying model with a dataset, wherein the dataset comprises an identification of a provider and attributes corresponding to the provider and identifying a class of the provider in accordance with the plurality of corresponding attributes, wherein the identification is determined based on one or more patterns determinative of a return rate by the classifying model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Mullins, Matt DeLand, Zahra Ferdowsi, Stephen Lang, John Stokvis, Nolan Finn, Shafiq Shariff
  • Publication number: 20230133825
    Abstract: A surgical system including a patient tracker and a tracking system. The patient tracker is adapted for attachment to a patient, and includes a hybrid marker having a radiological marker contained within an optical marker. The tracking system tracks the hybrid marker. A computing device obtains a three-dimensional image of a patient' s anatomy and the attached patient tracker; identifies a three-dimensional portion of the hybrid marker within a scan volume; determines a location of the hybrid marker within the scan volume based on the identified three-dimensional portion; tracks the location of the hybrid marker in three-dimensional space using the tracking system while the patient tracker remains fixed to the patient; and registers the three-dimensional image in three-dimensional space based on a known geometric relationship between the location of the hybrid marker within the scan volume and the location of the hybrid marker in three-dimensional space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Mobius Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon Row, Kyle Schwartz, Stephen Lang, Edward Daley
  • Patent number: 11213753
    Abstract: The present specification describes systems and methods for efficiently generating scaled down versions of heatmaps that can be presented in real-time to a player. Data representative of events in a video game are recorded at occurring at one or more coordinates within a virtual geographical landscape of the video game. The virtual geographical landscape is divided into subsections to form a secondary map. Performance metrics are generated based on the data and assigned to at least one of the subsections based on the one or more coordinates. The heatmap is formed and displayed by generating a non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics and overlaying the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics on the secondary map. Locations of the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics is based on to which subsections the generated performance metrics was assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Lang
  • Patent number: 11207596
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a performance heatmap that accounts for barriers, playable areas and non-playable areas are disclosed. The system applies a blur operation to a performance heatmap associated with a game map to generate a blurred heatmap, the heatmap having a plurality of pixels, where at least a portion of the pixels is associated with one or more values corresponding to one or more performance metrics. A mask representative of a top down image of the game map is generated, where the mask defines first areas that are accessible to players and second areas that are not accessible to players. A data structure is defined having n×m elements, wherein each of the n×m elements has a weight associated therewith based on an association of the data structure and mask. The blurring operation is executed on the heatmap using the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Lang
  • Publication number: 20210342721
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for calculating closing metrics regarding a contract between a promotion service and provider. A promotional system may calculate a probability of closing, and an estimated time to close. The promotion service may offer a promotion to consumers for a discounted product or service, to be honored by the provider. A category, lead source, historical data, stage in sales, and/or size of the provider may be used in calculating a probability of close and/or time to close. An example method may comprise supplying a classifying model with a dataset, wherein the dataset comprises an identification of a provider and attributes corresponding to the provider and identifying a class of the provider in accordance with the plurality of corresponding attributes, wherein the identification is determined based on one or more patterns determinative of a return rate by the classifying model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Mullins, Matt DeLand, Zahra Ferdowsi, Stephen Lang, John Stokvis, Nolan Finn, Shafiq Shariff
  • Patent number: 11120345
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for calculating closing metrics regarding a contract between a promotion service and provider. A promotional system may calculate a probability of closing, and an estimated time to close. The promotion service may offer a promotion to consumers for a discounted product or service, to be honored by the provider. A category, lead source, historical data, stage in sales, and/or size of the provider may be used in calculating a probability of close and/or time to close. An example method may comprise supplying a classifying model with a dataset, wherein the dataset comprises an identification of a provider and attributes corresponding to the provider and identifying a class of the provider in accordance with the plurality of corresponding attributes, wherein the identification is determined based on one or more patterns determinative of a return rate by the classifying model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Mullins, Matt DeLand, Zahra Ferdowsi, Stephen Lang, John Stokvis, Nolan Finn, Shafiq Shariff
  • Patent number: 10987588
    Abstract: The present specification describes an assistive tool that facilitates the design of video games to achieve a true randomized, non-biased and neutral gaming environment that is bounded so that extremes of disincentives and excess incentives are avoided. In one embodiment, the tool allows for simulation of game environment and generates variables that enable reward acquisition by players. In one embodiment, the tool allows the game systems to be defined in such a way that an agent, such as an artificial player implemented by a computer program, can interact with the game environment. In one embodiment, the present tool uses generative models driven by data from previous versions of a game to define the behavior of such agents in simulated games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Parker E. Lowrey, Christian K. Widmer, Brian S. Feldstein, Stephen A. Lang
  • Publication number: 20210071617
    Abstract: A proposed Adiabatic Diesel Engine (ADE), implements no cooling of the cylinders. The mechanism to achieve adiabatic cylinders is based on the separation of the crankcase mechanism from the cylinder mechanism. In an example implementation, the crankcase has a cross head mechanism driven by a connecting rod. The cross head mechanism drives the piston driveshaft(s) through a sliding bearing. The piston driveshaft moves between the crankcase and the cylinders. The cylinder has both a top where compression and combustion occur and a bottom with the piston driveshaft attached. The bottom has an opening for the piston driveshaft to move through. The bottom of the cylinder would normally be used to pump air for charging the combustion chamber. The crankcase mechanism contains lubricating oil and typically is cooled naturally through its casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen Lang Dickerson
  • Publication number: 20200360813
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a performance heatmap that accounts for barriers, playable areas and non-playable areas are disclosed. The system applies a blur operation to a performance heatmap associated with a game map to generate a blurred heatmap, the heatmap having a plurality of pixels, where at least a portion of the pixels is associated with one or more values corresponding to one or more performance metrics. A mask representative of a top down image of the game map is generated, where the mask defines first areas that are accessible to players and second areas that are not accessible to players. A data structure is defined having n×m elements, wherein each of the n×m elements has a weight associated therewith based on an association of the data structure and mask. The blurring operation is executed on the heatmap using the data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen A. Lang
  • Publication number: 20200360812
    Abstract: The present specification describes systems and methods for efficiently generating scaled down versions of heatmaps that can be presented in real-time to a player. Data representative of events in a video game are recorded at occurring at one or more coordinates within a virtual geographical landscape of the video game. The virtual geographical landscape is divided into subsections to form a secondary map. Performance metrics are generated based on the data and assigned to at least one of the subsections based on the one or more coordinates. The heatmap is formed and displayed by generating a non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics and overlaying the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics on the secondary map. Locations of the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics is based on to which subsections the generated performance metrics was assigned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen A. Lang
  • Publication number: 20200272917
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for classifying a provider of products, services or experiences as a provider that should be engaged based on a predicted return rate for any products, services or experiences that may be offered and purchased by a consumer. An example method may comprise supplying a classifying model with a dataset, wherein the dataset comprises an identification of a provider and a plurality of attributes corresponding to the provider and identifying a class of the provider in accordance with the plurality of corresponding attributes, wherein the identification is determined based on one or more patterns determinative of a return rate by the classifying model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Brian MULLINS, Matt DELAND, Zahra FERDOWSI, Stephen LANG, John STOKVIS, Nolan FINN
  • Patent number: 10709981
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a performance heatmap that accounts for barriers, playable areas and non-playable areas are disclosed. The system applies a blur operation to a performance heatmap associated with a game map to generate a blurred heatmap, the heatmap having a plurality of pixels, where at least a portion of the pixels is associated with one or more values corresponding to one or more performance metrics. A mask representative of a top down image of the game map is generated, where the mask defines first areas that are accessible to players and second areas that are not accessible to players. A data structure is defined having n×m elements, wherein each of the n×m elements has a weight associated therewith based on an association of the data structure and mask. The blurring operation is executed on the heatmap using the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A Lang
  • Patent number: 10702779
    Abstract: The present specification describes systems and methods for efficiently generating scaled down versions of heatmaps that can be presented in real-time to a player. Data representative of events in a video game are recorded at occurring at one or more coordinates within a virtual geographical landscape of the video game. The virtual geographical landscape is divided into subsections to form a secondary map. Performance metrics are generated based on the data and assigned to at least one of the subsections based on the one or more coordinates. The heatmap is formed and displayed by generating a non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics and overlaying the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics on the secondary map. Locations of the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics is based on to which subsections the generated performance metrics was assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A Lang
  • Publication number: 20200171388
    Abstract: The present specification describes an assistive tool that facilitates the design of video games to achieve a true randomized, non-biased and neutral gaming environment that is bounded so that extremes of disincentives and excess incentives are avoided. In one embodiment, the tool allows for simulation of game environment and generates variables that enable reward acquisition by players. In one embodiment, the tool allows the game systems to be defined in such a way that an agent, such as an artificial player implemented by a computer program, can interact with the game environment. In one embodiment, the present tool uses generative models driven by data from previous versions of a game to define the behavior of such agents in simulated games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Parker E. Lowery, Christian K. Widmer, Brian S. Feldstein, Stephen A. Lang
  • Publication number: 20200122036
    Abstract: The present specification describes systems and methods for efficiently generating scaled down versions of heatmaps that can be presented in real-time to a player. Data representative of events in a video game are recorded at occurring at one or more coordinates within a virtual geographical landscape of the video game. The virtual geographical landscape is divided into subsections to form a secondary map. Performance metrics are generated based on the data and assigned to at least one of the subsections based on the one or more coordinates. The heatmap is formed and displayed by generating a non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics and overlaying the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics on the secondary map. Locations of the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics is based on to which subsections the generated performance metrics was assigned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen A. Lang
  • Patent number: 10558922
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for classifying a provider of products, services or experiences as a provider that should be engaged based on a predicted return rate for any products, services or experiences that may be offered and purchased by a consumer. An example method may comprise supplying a classifying model with a dataset, wherein the dataset comprises an identification of a provider and a plurality of attributes corresponding to the provider and identifying a class of the provider in accordance with the plurality of corresponding attributes, wherein the identification is determined based on one or more patterns determinative of a return rate by the classifying model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Mullins, Matt DeLand, Zahra Ferdowsi, Stephen Lang, John Stokvis, Nolan Finn
  • Patent number: 10500498
    Abstract: The present specification describes an assistive tool that facilitates the design of video games to achieve a true randomized, non-biased and neutral gaming environment that is bounded so that extremes of disincentives and excess incentives are avoided. In one embodiment, the tool allows for simulation of game environment and generates variables that enable reward acquisition by players. In one embodiment, the tool allows the game systems to be defined in such a way that an agent, such as an artificial player implemented by a computer program, can interact with the game environment. In one embodiment, the present tool uses generative models driven by data from previous versions of a game to define the behavior of such agents in simulated games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Parker E. Lowery, Christian K. Widmer, Brian S. Feldstein, Stephen A. Lang
  • Patent number: 10463964
    Abstract: The present specification describes systems and methods for efficiently generating scaled down versions of heatmaps that can be presented in real-time to a player. Data representative of events in a video game are recorded at occurring at one or more coordinates within a virtual geographical landscape of the video game. The virtual geographical landscape is divided into subsections to form a secondary map. Performance metrics are generated based on the data and assigned to at least one of the subsections based on the one or more coordinates. The heatmap is formed and displayed by generating a non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics and overlaying the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics on the secondary map. Locations of the non-alphanumeric visual representation of the performance metrics is based on to which subsections the generated performance metrics was assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A Lang
  • Publication number: 20190105567
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a performance heatmap that accounts for barriers, playable areas and non-playable areas are disclosed. The system applies a blur operation to a performance heatmap associated with a game map to generate a blurred heatmap, the heatmap having a plurality of pixels, where at least a portion of the pixels is associated with one or more values corresponding to one or more performance metrics. A mask representative of a top down image of the game map is generated, where the mask defines first areas that are accessible to players and second areas that are not accessible to players. A data structure is defined having n×m elements, wherein each of the n×m elements has a weight associated therewith based on an association of the data structure and mask. The blurring operation is executed on the heatmap using the data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen A. Lang
  • Publication number: 20180147491
    Abstract: The present specification describes an assistive tool that facilitates the design of video games to achieve a true randomized, non-biased and neutral gaming environment that is bounded so that extremes of disincentives and excess incentives are avoided. In one embodiment, the tool allows for simulation of game environment and generates variables that enable reward acquisition by players. In one embodiment, the tool allows the game systems to be defined in such a way that an agent, such as an artificial player implemented by a computer program, can interact with the game environment. In one embodiment, the present tool uses generative models driven by data from previous versions of a game to define the behavior of such agents in simulated games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Parker E. Lowery, Christian K. Widmer, Brian S. Feldstein, Stephen A. Lang