Patents by Inventor Ulf Schwekendiek

Ulf Schwekendiek 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: 11954707
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating payments with a mobile device are discussed herein. Circuitry in a networked-based central system, which may be a promotional system or payment system, may be configured to receive payment information from a consumer device. The consumer device may include circuitry configured to receive wallet identifying data from the central system. The wallet identification data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and another device, such as a merchant device, over a wireless link. In some embodiments, the consumer device may receive promotional offers, such as deal vouchers or rewards, and make payments to the other device via the wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Tuomas Artman, Jyri Engestrom, Ulf Schwekendiek
  • Publication number: 20230368183
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. Wallet identifying data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and the merchant device over a wireless link. For example, the merchant device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the wallet identifying data from a consumer device and to transmit the wallet identifying data to the central system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying data may be received by the merchant device from the central system. In some embodiments, the consumer identifying data may be associated with a unit of location, such as a dine-in location at a restaurant, to facilitate consumer service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Tuomas ARTMAN, Jyri ENGESTROM, Ulf SCHWEKENDIEK
  • Patent number: 11747967
    Abstract: Different types of media experiences can be developed based on characteristics of the consumer. “Linear” experiences may require execution of a pre-built script, although the script could be dynamically modified by a media production platform. Linear experiences can include guided audio tours that are modified or updated based on the location of the consumer. “Enhanced” experiences include conventional media content that is supplemented with intelligent media content. For example, turn-by-turn directions could be supplemented with audio descriptions about the surrounding area. “Freeform” experiences, meanwhile, are those that can continually morph based on information gleaned from a consumer. For example, a radio station may modify what content is being presented based on the geographical metadata uploaded by a computing device associated with the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Descript, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Terrill Holmes, Steven Surmacz Rubin, Ulf Schwekendiek, David John Williams
  • Publication number: 20230245187
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. Wallet identifying data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and the merchant device over a wireless link. For example, the merchant device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the wallet identifying data from a consumer device and to transmit the wallet identifying data to the central system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying data may be received by the merchant device from the central system. In some embodiments, employee identifying data that identifies an employee may be associated with the consumer identifying data to facilitate consumer assistance and employee payment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Tuomas ARTMAN, Jyri ENGESTROM, Ulf SCHWEKENDIEK
  • Publication number: 20230221842
    Abstract: Different types of media experiences can be developed based on characteristics of the consumer. “Linear” experiences may require execution of a pre-built script, although the script could be dynamically modified by a media production platform. Linear experiences can include guided audio tours that are modified or updated based on the location of the consumer. “Enhanced” experiences include conventional media content that is supplemented with intelligent media content. For example, turn-by-turn directions could be supplemented with audio descriptions about the surrounding area. “Freeform” experiences, meanwhile, are those that can continually morph based on information gleaned from a consumer. For example, a radio station may modify what content is being presented based on the geographical metadata uploaded by a computing device associated with the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan Terrill Holmes, Steven Surmacz Rubin, Ulf Schwekendiek, David John Williams
  • Publication number: 20230142327
    Abstract: A method includes receiving wireless signals from consumer devices that are in communicable range of the merchant device. The wireless signals each include a unique identifier associated with one of the consumer devices. The method further comprises generating signal strength data that includes one signal strength value associated with the unique identifier of each of the wireless signals, storing the signal strength data in a data storage device, analyzing the signal strength data to determine how many of the consumer devices achieved various signal strength levels, determining a threshold signal strength value based on the analysis, determining a consumer device is present within a physical area when a subsequent wireless signal from a subsequent consumer device is greater than the threshold signal strength value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Yishai Lerner, Ulf Schwekendiek, Tuomas Artman
  • Patent number: 11620640
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. Wallet identifying data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and the merchant device over a wireless link. For example, the merchant device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the wallet identifying data from a consumer device and to transmit the wallet identifying data to the central system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying data may be received by the merchant device from the central system. In some embodiments, the consumer identifying data may be associated with a unit of location, such as a dine-in location at a restaurant, to facilitate consumer service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Tuomas Artman, Jyri Engestrom, Ulf Schwekendiek
  • Patent number: 11593849
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. Wallet identifying data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and the merchant device over a wireless link. For example, the merchant device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive the wallet identifying data from a consumer device and to transmit the wallet identifying data to the central system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying data may be received by the merchant device from the central system. In some embodiments, employee identifying data that identifies an employee may be associated with the consumer identifying data to facilitate consumer assistance and employee payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuomas Artman, Jyri Engestrom, Ulf Schwekendiek
  • Patent number: 11546727
    Abstract: A method includes receiving wireless signals from consumer devices that are in communicable range of the merchant device. The wireless signals each include a unique identifier associated with one of the consumer devices. The method further comprises generating signal strength data that includes one signal strength value associated with the unique identifier of each of the wireless signals, storing the signal strength data in a data storage device, analyzing the signal strength data to determine how many of the consumer devices achieved various signal strength levels, determining a threshold signal strength value based on the analysis, determining a consumer device is present within a physical area when a subsequent wireless signal from a subsequent consumer device is greater than the threshold signal strength value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: GROUPON, INC.
    Inventors: Yishai Lerner, Ulf Schwekendiek, Tuomas Artman
  • Publication number: 20220374192
    Abstract: Media content can be created and/or modified using a network-accessible platform. Scripts for content-based experiences could be readily created using one or more interfaces generated by the network-accessible platform. For example, a script for a content-based experience could be created using an interface that permits triggers to be inserted directly into the script. Interface(s) may also allow different media formats to be easily aligned for post-processing. For example, a transcript and an audio file may be dynamically aligned so that the network-accessible platform can globally reflect changes made to either item. User feedback may also be presented directly on the interface(s) so that modifications can be made based on actual user experiences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Surmacz Rubin, Ulf Schwekendiek, David John Williams
  • Publication number: 20220283680
    Abstract: Different types of media experiences can be developed based on characteristics of the consumer. “Linear” experiences may require execution of a pre-built script, although the script could be dynamically modified by a media production platform. Linear experiences can include guided audio tours that are modified or updated based on the location of the consumer. “Enhanced” experiences include conventional media content that is supplemented with intelligent media content. For example, turn-by-turn directions could be supplemented with audio descriptions about the surrounding area. “Freeform” experiences, meanwhile, are those that can continually morph based on information gleaned from a consumer. For example, a radio station may modify what content is being presented based on the geographical metadata uploaded by a computing device associated with the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan Terrill Holmes, Steven Surmacz Rubin, Ulf Schwekendiek, David John Williams
  • Publication number: 20220253831
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided that improve secure validation of device identity and/or user identity. Some example embodiments receive, from a provider computing device via provider device second communication capabilities, a short-range token indication associated with a client computing device, the short-range token indication including an identifying token provided utilizing client device first communication capabilities, where the identifying token is received in response to the provider computing device detecting that the client computing device is within a provider environment associated with a first provider device communication range corresponding to provider device first communication capabilities, where the first provider device communication range is shorter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Andrey ZAYTZSEV, Ulf SCHWEKENDIEK, Tuomas ARTMAN
  • Publication number: 20220253825
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating payments with a mobile device are discussed herein. Circuitry in a networked-based payment system may be configured to receive payment information from a first device. The first device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive wallet identifying data from the payment system. The wallet identifying data may be used to secure messages between the first device and another device over a wireless link. For example, the first device may be configured to send the wallet identifying data to a second device, which may then communicate with the payment system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying data may be received by the second device from the payment system. In some embodiments, use of wallet identifying data may be applied to other communications, such as for messages that authorize payment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Tuomas Artman, Jyri Engestrom, Ulf Schwekendiek
  • Publication number: 20220129869
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. A system that may be implemented to provide a master merchant having a merchant device with a POS system configured to generate a bill for products, experiences, or services provided, a way to link or associate one or more accounts, such as contractor accounts to their master merchant account or merchant device, and transfer a portion of the payment to the linked accounts. In addition, some embodiments of the system may provide for receiving selection of, for each product, service or experience provided, a contractor account from a list of one or more approved contractor accounts linked to the master merchant account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventor: Ulf Schwekendiek
  • Patent number: 11294542
    Abstract: Different types of media experiences can be developed based on characteristics of the consumer. “Linear” experiences may require execution of a pre-built script, although the script could be dynamically modified by a media production platform. Linear experiences can include guided audio tours that are modified or updated based on the location of the consumer. “Enhanced” experiences include conventional media content that is supplemented with intelligent media content. For example, turn-by-turn directions could be supplemented with audio descriptions about the surrounding area. “Freeform” experiences, meanwhile, are those that can continually morph based on information gleaned from a consumer. For example, a radio station may modify what content is being presented based on the geographical metadata uploaded by a computing device associated with the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Descript, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Terrill Holmes, Steven Surmacz Rubin, Ulf Schwekendiek, David John Williams
  • Publication number: 20220103970
    Abstract: A method includes receiving wireless signals from consumer devices that are in communicable range of the merchant device. The wireless signals each include a unique identifier associated with one of the consumer devices. The method further comprises generating signal strength data that includes one signal strength value associated with the unique identifier of each of the wireless signals, storing the signal strength data in a data storage device, analyzing the signal strength data to determine how many of the consumer devices achieved various signal strength levels, determining a threshold signal strength value based on the analysis, determining a consumer device is present within a physical area when a subsequent wireless signal from a subsequent consumer device is greater than the threshold signal strength value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Yishai LERNER, Ulf SCHWEKENDIEK, Tuomas ARTMAN
  • Patent number: 11263620
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for facilitating payments via a consumer device carried by a consumer are discussed herein. Wallet identifying tokens may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and the merchant device over a wireless link. For example, the merchant device may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receive a wallet identifying token from a consumer device and to transmit the wallet identifying token to the central system. In response, consumer identifying data associated with the wallet identifying token may be received by the merchant device from the central system. In some embodiments, payments may be secured via limiting the lifetime of wallet identifying tokens after initial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrey Zaytzsev, Ulf Schwekendiek, Tuomas Artman
  • Patent number: 11262970
    Abstract: Media content can be created and/or modified using a network-accessible platform. Scripts for content-based experiences could be readily created using one or more interfaces generated by the network-accessible platform. For example, a script for a content-based experience could be created using an interface that permits triggers to be inserted directly into the script. Interface(s) may also allow different media formats to be easily aligned for post-processing. For example, a transcript and an audio file may be dynamically aligned so that the network-accessible platform can globally reflect changes made to either item. User feedback may also be presented directly on the interface(s) so that modifications can be made based on actual user experiences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Descript, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Surmacz Rubin, Ulf Schwekendiek, David John Williams
  • Publication number: 20220044282
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating payments with a mobile device are discussed herein. Circuitry in a networked-based central system, which may be a promotional system or payment system, may be configured to receive payment information from a consumer device. The consumer device may include circuitry configured to receive wallet identifying data from the central system. The wallet identification data may be used to secure messages between the consumer device and another device, such as a merchant device, over a wireless link. In some embodiments, the consumer device may receive promotional offers, such as deal vouchers or rewards, and make payments to the other device via the wireless link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Tuomas Artman, Jyri Engestrom, Ulf Schwekendiek
  • Patent number: 11222318
    Abstract: Systems and related methods facilitating interactions between a merchant device, a central system and a consumer device are discussed herein. A system that may be implemented to provide a master merchant having a merchant device with a POS system configured to generate a bill for products, experiences, or services provided, a way to link or associate one or more accounts, such as contractor accounts to their master merchant account or merchant device, and transfer a portion of the payment to the linked accounts. In addition, some embodiments of the system may provide for receiving selection of, for each product, service or experience provided, a contractor account from a list of one or more approved contractor accounts linked to the master merchant account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulf Schwekendiek