Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Cooper
Thomas E. Cooper 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: 8719256Abstract: A system and method of processing a request including improving usage and/or performance of resources is disclosed. Information relating to a user request may be provided to one or more resources which process the information and provide a result. A result and/or other information may be provided to a human assistant or guide who may process information to produce a result and/or review a result(s). Information provided by a guide may be processed and provided to a resource, which may improve the performance of a resource. A resource(s) and/or a guide(s) may be selected and/or provided with activities based on ratings and/or rankings associated with a request, which may optimize usage of system resources. Information obtained may be provided for various purposes.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: ChaCha Search, IncInventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper, Mark Stephen Malseed, Jeffrey Glen Jockisch, Mark Gamache, Michael B. Burroughs
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Patent number: 8700615Abstract: A system and method for improving the relevance of search results is disclosed. Voters who may be human searchers or guides may review search results or other review items associated with a search request or other reference item. A review may be activated based on a usage indicator(s) which may improve utilization of guides. A vote by a voter may be weighted based on a voting history associated with the voter and one or more reference voters who may be designated by the system. A voter may be presented with a group of items for review including simultaneously. A number of comparison voting sessions or elections may be used to determine a rating or ranking of a review item associated with a reference item.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: ChaCha Search, IncInventors: Scott A Jones, Thomas E Cooper
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Patent number: 8671008Abstract: A method and system for correlating a work request to a provider based on content of the work request and delegating the work request to the provider using an instant message (IM) service. An instant message service including those offered by existing IM service providers is used to notify a provider that a request has been received requesting work to be performed. The instant message may include a link to details of the work being requested, establish an electronic mail communication, point to a web site or initiate an application that communicates with web-enabled services on a server connected to the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: ChaCha Search, IncInventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper, Brad Bostic
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Patent number: 8515940Abstract: A method and system for qualifying keyword(s) or phrase(s) to formulate a query string for submitting a search request when the query string contains one or more keywords that may have multiple meanings associated therewith. Database information containing keywords and associated meanings or forms of the keywords is maintained and a requester is prompted to identify one or more of the meanings of a keyword when building the query string. One or more advertisements pertaining to the associated meanings or forms of the keywords in the query string is presented to the requester submitting a search request.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: ChaCha Search, IncInventors: Scott A Jones, Thomas E Cooper
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Publication number: 20130071831Abstract: A method and system for enhancing search skills of human guides in an information search system. The method allows human guides to be trained when they are not particularly busy fielding search queries from information seekers. The method can include determining whether a guide is idle and presenting to a human guide at least one video or audio source for training the human guide. The video training can include a demonstration of the most effective method for providing search results for an information search query, thereby enabling a guide to learn effective strategies and skills for conducting information searching. The training can contribute to the likelihood of the guide being promoted to a level of a more experienced human guide, thereby allowing greater effectiveness in fielding search queries for information seekers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: CHACHA SEARCH, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Publication number: 20130073356Abstract: A method and system of sponsored publishing is described. Compensation is provided to participants based on recruitment of merchants and actions by subscribers provided by a publisher. A publisher may determine offers provided via a publication.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventors: Thomas E. Cooper, Pamela A. Cooper
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Patent number: 8370372Abstract: A method and system of promoting service(s) of a search system are disclosed. A monitoring software or a search monitor may be operative on a user device. A user may be notified of an alternate search result(s) when such a result is identified. Condition(s) whereby a notification is presented to a user may be modified based on user action(s) and/or other information.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Mark Gamache, Thomas E. Cooper
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Publication number: 20130024446Abstract: A method and system of improving utilization of human searcher(s) in a search system provides an ambassador guide who may categorize and structure a request, interact with a user, provide a search result, and review a search result. The ambassador guide improves response time, automation, and efficiency of use of searchers and resources of the search system. A toolset may be provided to an ambassador to assist in rapidly executing relevant tasks.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: CHACHA SEARCH, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Chris Lenzo, Thomas E. Cooper
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Publication number: 20130018913Abstract: A system and a method for performing a search with the assistance of a computer may assign a unique identifier to a user, to a query submitted to the system by the user, to a human searcher that may respond to the query, and to a result produced by a human searcher in response to the query. These unique identifiers may be stored in a database, and associated with one another. The system maintains a database of unique identifiers for each original query associated with the unique identifier of the posing user and responding searcher, and may establish an anonymous communication channel between the user and the searcher during the initial session when the query is posed and answered, and during follow-up sessions that may occur in the future.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: CHACHA SEARCH, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Publication number: 20120317101Abstract: A method and system for qualifying keyword(s) or phrase(s) to formulate a query string for submitting a search request when the query string contains one or more keywords that may have multiple meanings associated therewith. Database information containing keywords and associated meanings or forms of the keywords is maintained and a requester is prompted to identify one or more of the meanings of a keyword when building the query string. One or more advertisements pertaining to the associated meanings or forms of the keywords in the query string is presented to the requester submitting a search request.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: CHACHA SEARCH, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Patent number: 8327270Abstract: A method and system for enhancing search skills of human guides in an information search system. The method allows human guides to be trained when they are not particularly busy fielding search queries from information seekers. The method can include determining whether a guide is idle and presenting to a human guide at least one video or audio source for training the human guide. The video training can include a demonstration of the most effective method for providing search results for an information search query, thereby enabling a guide to learn effective strategies and skills for conducting information searching. The training can contribute to the likelihood of the guide being promoted to a level of a more experienced human guide, thereby allowing greater effectiveness in fielding search queries for information seekers.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: ChaCha Search, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Publication number: 20120296887Abstract: A user using a chat or instant message, mobile message or email type of interface, for example, an information seeker, can connect via an instant message, mobile message, email or chat type of service provider, for example, an America On-line Instant Messenger (AIM) server. The message server connects the user to a routine that allows the user to utilize his or her service interface in combination with the services provided by the information search system. After connection has been established via the message interface, for example, an instant message is received via the chat process. A query string can then be extracted from the instant message and passed to the search system, which can respond with search results.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: CHACHA SEARCH, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Patent number: 8301651Abstract: A method and system of improving utilization of human searcher(s) in a search system provides an ambassador guide who may categorize and structure a request, interact with a user, provide a search result, and review a search result. The ambassador guide improves response time, automation, and efficiency of use of searchers and resources of the search system. A toolset may be provided to an ambassador to assist in rapidly executing relevant tasks.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: ChaCha Search, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Chris Lenzo, Thomas E. Cooper
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Patent number: 8280921Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for performing a search with the assistance of a computer. The system may assign a unique identifier to a user, to a query submitted to the system by the user, to a human searcher that may respond to the query, and to a result produced by a human searcher in response to the query. These unique identifiers may be stored in a database, and associated with one another. The system may receive a query from the user during a first communication session, and present the query to the searcher to perform a search responsive to the query. The searcher may produce search results and transmit the results to the system during the first communication session. The system may receive the search results from the searcher during the first communication session, and forward the results to the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: ChaCha Search, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Patent number: 8266130Abstract: A method and system providing optional use of human search guides to allow a user to select between a human guide assisted search and an automated search. The user is provided with an option of submitting a query requesting assistance of one or more human guides, initiating a search without requesting assistance from human guide(s) using automated results, or a combination of both.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: ChaCha Search, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Publication number: 20120221564Abstract: A system and method for improving the relevance of search results is disclosed. Voters who may be human searchers or guides may review search results or other review items associated with a search request or other reference item. A review may be activated based on a usage indicator(s) which may improve utilization of guides. A vote by a voter may be weighted based on a voting history associated with the voter and one or more reference voters who may be designated by the system. A voter may be presented with a group of items for review including simultaneously. A number of comparison voting sessions or elections may be used to determine a rating or ranking of a review item associated with a reference item.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: CHACHA SEARCH, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Patent number: 8255383Abstract: A method and system for qualifying keyword(s) or phrase(s) to formulate a query string for submitting a search request when the query string contains one or more keywords that may have multiple meanings associated therewith. Database information containing keywords and associated meanings or forms of the keywords is maintained and a requester is prompted to identify one or more of the meanings of a keyword when building the query string. One or more advertisements pertaining to the associated meanings or forms of the keywords in the query string is presented to the requester submitting a search request.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: ChaCha Search, IncInventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Patent number: 8239461Abstract: A user using a chat or instant message, mobile message or email type of interface, for example, an information seeker, can connect via an instant message, mobile message, email or chat type of service provider, for example, an America On-line Instant Messenger (AIM) server. The message server connects the user to a routine that allows the user to utilize his or her service interface in combination with the services provided by the information search system. After connection has been established via the message interface, for example, an instant message is received via the chat process. A query string can then be extracted from the instant message and passed to the search system, which can respond with search results.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: ChaCha Search, Inc.Inventors: Scott A Jones, Thomas E Cooper
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Patent number: 8200663Abstract: A system and method for improving the relevance of search results is disclosed. Voters who may be human searchers or guides may review search results or other review items associated with a search request or other reference item. A review may be activated based on a usage indicator(s) which may improve utilization of guides. A vote by a voter may be weighted based on a voting history associated with the voter and one or more reference voters who may be designated by the system. A voter may be presented with a group of items for review including simultaneously. A number of comparison voting sessions or elections may be used to determine a rating or ranking of a review item associated with a reference item.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: ChaCha Search, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper
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Publication number: 20120109924Abstract: A method and system providing optional use of human search guides to allow a user to select between a human guide assisted search and an automated search. The user is provided with an option of submitting a query requesting assistance of one or more human guides, initiating a search without requesting assistance from human guide(s) using automated results, or a combination of both.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2012Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: CHACHA SEARCH, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Jones, Thomas E. Cooper