Patents by Inventor Stephen S. Tompkins
Stephen S. Tompkins 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).
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Patent number: 9875342Abstract: A user can share digital content with another user or device using dynamically-generated barcodes. A user might request to share an electronic book (“e-book”), stored on a first device, with another user having a second device. The first device can generate a barcode that includes not only information about the identity of the e-book, but also information about the user or the first device, which can help to determine rights and/or access restrictions for the content. The second device can capture an image of the barcode generated on a display of the first device, and use information extracted from that image to attempt to obtain a copy of the e-book. Other types of barcodes can be generated based at least in part upon the context, such as where a user is attempting to locate a physical copy of a type of digital content in a retail location.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: A9.com, Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Amacker, Stephen S. Tompkins
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Patent number: 9607010Abstract: Techniques for facilitating a shape-based search of content items are disclosed. In some situations, the techniques include receiving a request for search of content that includes an image of an item and a glyph input by the user on the image that indicates a shape of the first item, extracting features associated with the item from an area of the image on which the glyph is input; identifying a shape category of the first item based at least in part on the indicated shape of the glyph; and conducting a search for items having features that match the extracted features of the first item, the search being conducted among a plurality of items associated with the identified shape category. The retrieved search results may be returned to a user.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: A9.com, Inc.Inventors: Stephen S. Tompkins, Leslie K. Wang, Arnab S. Dhua, Catherine L. Wah
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Publication number: 20160117487Abstract: A user can share digital content with another user or device using dynamically-generated barcodes. A user might request to share an electronic book (“e-book”), stored on a first device, with another user having a second device. The first device can generate a barcode that includes not only information about the identity of the e-book, but also information about the user or the first device, which can help to determine rights and/or access restrictions for the content. The second device can capture an image of the barcode generated on a display of the first device, and use information extracted from that image to attempt to obtain a copy of the e-book. Other types of barcodes can be generated based at least in part upon the context, such as where a user is attempting to locate a physical copy of a type of digital content in a retail location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2016Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Matthew W. Amacker, Stephen S. Tompkins
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Patent number: 9240058Abstract: A user can share digital content with another user or device using dynamically-generated barcodes. A user might request to share an electronic book (“e-book”), stored on a first device, with another user having a second device. The first device can generate a barcode that includes not only information about the identity of the e-book, but also information about the user or the first device, which can help to determine rights and/or access restrictions for the content. The second device can capture an image of the barcode generated on a display of the first device, and use information extracted from that image to attempt to obtain a copy of the e-book. Other types of barcodes can be generated based at least in part upon the context, such as where a user is attempting to locate a physical copy of a type of digital content in a retail location.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: A9.com, Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Amacker, Stephen S. Tompkins
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Patent number: 8718369Abstract: Techniques for facilitating a shape-based search of content items are disclosed. In some situations, the techniques include receiving a request for search of content that includes an image of an item and a glyph input by the user on the image that indicates a shape of the first item, extracting features associated with the item from an area of the image on which the glyph is input; identifying a shape category of the first item based at least in part on the indicated shape of the glyph; and conducting a search for items having features that match the extracted features of the first item, the search being conducted among a plurality of items associated with the identified shape category. The retrieved search results may be returned to a user.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: A9.com, Inc.Inventors: Stephen S. Tompkins, Leslie K. Wang, Arnab S. Dhua, Catherine L. Wah
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Patent number: 8577737Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques, including systems and methods, for enabling a lending user to lend an application to a borrowing user. The borrowing user may use the application for a trial period, and, once the trial period lapses, the borrowing user may be given an opportunity to purchase the application. If the borrowing user purchases the application, then the lending user may be credited with a commission. According to some embodiments, in addition to or instead of lending the application, the lending user may lend or sell a status/stake in the application to the borrowing user. For example, if the application is a game, the status/stake may unlock certain levels or features of the game.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: A9.com, Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Amacker, Stephen S. Tompkins
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Patent number: 5496639Abstract: Films of thermoplastic poly(arylene ether imidazole)s (PAEI)s are used as surface modifiers for neat resin panels and composite resin panels. The PAEI polymer contains imidazole groups along the backbone which co-cure, i.e., react chemically, with epoxies or bismaleimides during processing and thereby provide excellent adhesion between the PAEI film and an epoxy or bismaleimide neat resin or composite resin facesheet. The film provides good adhesion and a smooth surface to the finished part and acts as a release agent from the mold. The as-processed integral structures have very smooth (specular) surfaces, and since the film releases readily from a glass mold, no release agent is necessary. The PAEI film is thermally stable, resistant to electron radiation, and adheres tenaciously to the facesheet. The film maintains good adhesion even after thermal cycling from room temperature to .about. -196.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: John W. Connell, Timothy W. Towell, Stephen S. Tompkins
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Patent number: 4662955Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating graphite reinforced metal matrix composites so as to eliminate thermal strain hysteresis and impart dimensional stability through a large thermal cycle. The method is applied to the composite post fabrication and is effective on metal matrix materials using graphite fibers manufactured by both the hot roll bonding and diffusion bonding techniques.The method consists of first heat treating the material in a solution anneal oven followed by a water quench and then subjecting the material to a cryogenic treatment in a cryogenic oven. This heat treatment and cryogenic stress reflief is effective in imparting a dimensional stability and reduced thermal strain hysteresis in the material over a -250.degree. F. to +250.degree. F. thermal cycle.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1985Date of Patent: May 5, 1987Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gregory A. Dries, Stephen S. Tompkins