Patents Issued in October 25, 2016
  • Patent number: 9477940
    Abstract: Relationship-centric resources are provided to users during a communication session. After establishing a communication session between a first communication device and a second communication device, content that meets a content descriptor is retrieved. This content descriptor describes a nature of a relationship between users of the first and second communication devices. The retrieved content, which meets the content descriptor, is then simultaneously displaying on both the first communication device and the second communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael N. Abernethy, Jr., Gabriel A. Cohen, Ronald E. Craig, Travis M. Grigsby
  • Patent number: 9477941
    Abstract: A system for managing genealogy data is provided. The system includes a genealogy application for storing genealogy account identification data for a first genealogy account. A social network interface receives data from the first genealogy account and provides genealogical data to the genealogy application. A relative invitation system generates an invitation to a user to create a second genealogy account for the genealogy application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: INTELIUS, INC.
    Inventors: Ilya Nikolayev, Andrew Merkatz
  • Patent number: 9477942
    Abstract: A method for collaborative data entry in which a primary user enters data into an input terminal includes data being entered into a number of input fields on an input screen by the primary user. The input terminal has an interface for assigning entry of data into at least one of the input fields to an alternate user. The method includes, with the interface, assigning entry of data into at least one of the input fields to an alternate user. An apparatus allowing collaborative data entry includes an input terminal comprising a display device for displaying data to a user and a user input device for receiving input from a user; and a user interface of the input terminal, the interface comprising a number of input fields for receiving the input from a user and for assigning at least one the input field to an alternate user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisatoshi Adachi, Masato Noguchi, Masaki Wakao
  • Patent number: 9477943
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments for multi-modality communications. By way of example but not limitation, a local user may interact with a local communication device via a local communication modality for a given communication, and a remote user may interact with a remote communication device via a remote communication modality for the given communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9477944
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes logic adapted for receiving a first request to change a state of a first group of catalogs, determining which of a plurality of catalogs belong in the first group, adding a change request for each of the first group of catalogs to a queue for processing, causing processing of each change request in the queue to change the state of each of the first group of catalogs according to the first request, creating a first group result indicating successful or failed state change upon a catalog in the first group of catalogs finishing processing, passing the first group result to an adjacent catalog in the first group of catalogs, removing each catalog that has finished processing from the first group of catalogs, and outputting the group result when there are no adjacent catalogs available to pass the group result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason C. Lee, Terri A. Menendez
  • Patent number: 9477945
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for interaction management systems. The method commences upon receiving a first incoming communication pertaining to a first task, and launching a first task-centered context user interface being initially populated with a first screen device selected in response to the type of incoming communication (e.g., a phone call icon, etc.). An agent interacts with the client by responding to the incoming communication. Then, the method receives a second incoming communication pertaining to the same first task; and populates the first task-centered context user interface with a second screen device appropriate for the second incoming communication (e.g., a chat UI, etc.). Additional new incoming events are routed to its corresponding task-centered context (or a new task-centered context is created).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Min Wu, Rami Musa, Arin Bhowmick, Kent Olen Swartz
  • Patent number: 9477946
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a virtual job market on a network comprising an application server and clients and/or electronic message systems allowing to input and output information, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing primary dimensions information on industries, career levels and functional areas; providing secondary dimensions information on salary ranges and/or geo-data and/or educational information and/or languages and/or special expertises, entering the primary and secondary dimensions information in a three dimensional data base on the application server; collecting information chunks of open jobs and candidate profiles, and placing the information chunks in a distinct cell or number of cells in the three dimensional database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Experteer GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Goettsch
  • Patent number: 9477947
    Abstract: Functionality can be implemented in email applications to allow sent messages to be updated, even if the sent messages have been read. When a request to update a sent message is received, a message update unit can update information in the message according to the notification. The message update unit can notify a recipient that the message was updated, and can indicate changed information in the sent message. The message update unit can also determine if the sent message has been forwarded, and forward the update notification to other recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Colm Farrell, Liam Harpur, Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Fred Raguillat, Hema Srikanth
  • Patent number: 9477948
    Abstract: An electronic business postal system collects, clears and delivers electronic business mail through a closed access, secure messaging system. A collection subsystem consists of access portals that are associated with secured system nodes. The access portals provide authenticated users access to the system to send and retrieve electronic business mail that includes postal system electronic delivery addresses, physical delivery addresses, or both. Secured message servers that are associated with the respective access portals process the electronic business mail into uniquely identified messages for delivery over the system nodes and also process received messages to provide the corresponding electronic business mail to the intended recipients through associated access portals. A delivery subsystem directs the messages through the system nodes associated with the senders' access portals to the system nodes associated with the recipients' access portals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ESCHER GROUP (IRL) LIMITED
    Inventors: Liam Church, Fionnuala Higgins, David James Fleming
  • Patent number: 9477949
    Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and methods for communicating media files and creating a collection of media files, also referred to herein as a master media file. In addition, the systems and methods of the present invention provide for the creation of automatic metadata and compilation of metadata associated with the collection of media files. The present invention is able to bond devices, referred to herein as slave devices, such as media capture devices, presence devices and/or sensor devices and instruct the slave devices, particularly the media capture devices, to communicate captured media files with a specified set of metadata included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Andreas Myka, Christian Lindholm
  • Patent number: 9477950
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for determining potential-repair information related to a vehicle based on content of a vehicle repair database. According to an example method, a computing device can receive vehicle information that includes a vehicle identifier for a vehicle type. The computing device can then determine, based on the vehicle information, at least two top repair order items in a first category of repair order items. For example, the at least two top repair order items may be related to the first vehicle type and determined from among a plurality of repair order items in the first category of repair order items that are related to the first vehicle type. The example method can further involve providing, by the computing device, a display of a graphical representation of the at least two top repair order items in the first category of repair order items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lester B. Johnson, David R. Costantino, Bradley R. Lewis, Roy S. Brozovich
  • Patent number: 9477951
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for tracking documents. The documents are tracked by simultaneously monitoring each document's electronic processing status and physical location. Determinations are made whether specific combinations of electronic processing states and physical locations are valid and whether specific movements of documents are permitted. Invalid combinations or movements are reported to a reporting station. The preparation of batches of documents prior to scanning may be monitored and operator metrics related to the batch prep process may be tracked. Exception documents rejected during document processing may be monitored to enable retrieval of such documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MAVRO IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: George L. Hayduchok, Eric P. Minbiole, Michael W. Vasey
  • Patent number: 9477952
    Abstract: An improved method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for processing a check in an automatic teller machine in a data processing system. A check is received from a user at the automatic teller machine. The check is scanned to generate an image. A transaction is performed involving the check. The image is transmitted to a mobile device associated with the user, wherein the image is in a format for use with a financial program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Rabindranath Dutta, Dwip N. Banerjee
  • Patent number: 9477953
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for receiving a customization that will be displayed on the screen of an ATM based on a customer initiating a session with the ATM. The customization is associated with a function to perform a financial transaction. The function is performed as a result of the customer interacting with the customization on the screen of the ATM. The customization may be altered based on a handicap impairment of the customer. The displaying of the customization may be restricted for security purposes or as a request of the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tyler Johnson, Sara Gill, Christian Michael Mande, James Robert Grimsley, Kristy M. Crist, Nathan Dent
  • Patent number: 9477954
    Abstract: A method of distributing media content using mobile communication devices including providing media access cards which promote selected media content to users of such devices whereby a user may access a web server associated with the media access cards and download application software enabling access to selected media content via a mobile device, the media access cards including a machine readable identification number code that identifies media content associated with the card whereby the application software facilitates reading and transmitting the code to a web server via the mobile device, receiving the identification number with the web server and using the identification number to locate a table value in a database wherein a plurality of media access cards identification numbers are associated with a media content table value, using the table value to identify media codes associated with the selected content server which transmits media to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: 1974 Productions Inc.
    Inventors: William Green, James L. Cross
  • Patent number: 9477955
    Abstract: A merchandise checkout system for ringing up merchandise in a grocery or other retail facility is disclosed. The merchandise checkout system includes visual sensors for acquiring images of an object to be rung up at checkout; a database configured to retain a visual model and UPC code of known items; and a processor configured to maintain and update the database with information about new merchandise presented for checkout. The visual model preferably includes at least one image of each item of merchandise in the retail store as well as geometric point features extracted from images of the merchandise. The processor in the exemplary embodiment is configured to: (a) compare the image of the object acquired at checkout to the visual model of the items in the database; (b) recognize the object based on the overall appearance of the packaging; (c) automatically ring up the price of the object at the POS; and (d) automatically add the acquired image to the database if the image of the object is new, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventor: Luis Goncalves
  • Patent number: 9477956
    Abstract: A method and system include receiving, by a computer from an e-Commerce website, a payment authorization request that comprises payment data and a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) associated with a mobile device; verifying the MSISDN by comparing MSISDN to a subscriber database; generating a message to verify a payment transaction at the e-Commerce website, after the MSISDN is validated; receiving the verification message at the mobile device; verifying the payment transaction by transmitting a mobile personal identification number (PIN) associated with the MSISDN in response to the verification message; generating an authorization message indicating the payment transaction is one of approved or declined; and transmitting the authorization message to a merchant associated with the e-Commerce website. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated
    Inventors: Akshat Gupta, Ricardo Pareja
  • Patent number: 9477957
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transferring value from a voucher to a payment account associated with a consumer. One exemplary method includes receiving, at a computing device, a load request to transfer value from a voucher to a payment account associated with a consumer. The load request includes a selection, at the computing device, of a provider associated with the voucher, from multiple different available voucher providers. A transaction request is then communicated, by the computing device, to transfer the value from the voucher to the payment account. The transaction request includes an identification number for the voucher and an account number for the payment account. When a transfer authorization is received at the computing device in response to the transaction request, a confirmation is generated, by the computing device, indicating that the value from the voucher has been transferred to the payment account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryan Bodman, Stephen Parento, Matthew Lanford, Claire Dudley-Hodson
  • Patent number: 9477958
    Abstract: A credit card reader is attached to a mobile device to process credit card transactions at the point of sale. A user of the credit card reader slides an authenticator card through the credit card reader to activate the credit card reader. Accordingly, the credit card reader may compare data stored in the authenticator card to an expected value for the data to determine whether the user is authorized to utilize the credit card reader. If there is a match, the credit card reader displays a unique password, known to the user, which the user can use to verify that the credit card reader is authentic. Further, if there is a match, the credit card reader may allow the user to process credit card transactions through the credit card reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nima Sharifi Mehr
  • Patent number: 9477959
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for using at least a portion of a one-time password as a dynamic card verification value (CVV) are disclosed. A credit/debit card is able to generate a dynamic card verification value (CVV). Such a card may also include an indication that the dynamic CVV is to be used as a security code for purchasing or other transactions. A card-based financial transaction can be authorized in accordance with the use of a dynamic CVV by receiving a transaction authorization request for a specific credit/debit card, wherein the transaction authorization request includes a dynamic CVV. The dynamic CVV can be compared to at least a portion of a one-time password generated for the specific credit/debit card, and a transaction authorization can be sent to the merchant or vendor when the dynamic CVV matches all or a portion of the one-time password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventor: James M. Ashfield
  • Patent number: 9477960
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing user authentication based on transaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Grigg, Peter John Bertanzetti, Michael E. Toth, Carrie Anne Hanson, Elizabeth S. Votaw
  • Patent number: 9477961
    Abstract: A computer system that is adapted for: (A) displaying a geographical map on a display screen; (B) displaying a plurality of icons on the geographical map, each of which generally represents the current location of at least one individual; (C) allowing a user to select a group of the icons; and (D) after the user selects the group of icons, providing messaging functionality for allowing the user to send a common message to the respective portable computing devices of at least substantially all of the individuals who correspond to the selected group of icons. In particular embodiments, the system allows the user to send the message by executing a single activity, such as selecting a single button. The system may also be configured to approximate the current location of an individual based on the individual's current travel itinerary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Charter Solutions International
    Inventors: Thomas Pfeffer, Derek Beveridge, Vishrut Patel
  • Patent number: 9477962
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to improve food safety in a food and beverage supply chain. Embodiments disclosed herein utilize prepared product tags to continuously monitor food and beverage temperatures. The temperatures and other associated data may be wirelessly transmitted to centralized locations for aggregation and storage. Mobile devices may directly communicate with the product tags to receive the temperature data. A host of management applications may utilize the data in order to ensure that safety rules and guidelines are met, while also providing valuable business insight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Worrall, Brian R. Jones, Peter Stepniewicz, Jo Gray, David A. Francus
  • Patent number: 9477963
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for automatically structuring free form heterogeneous data. In one aspect of the invention, the techniques include obtaining free form heterogeneous data, segmenting the free form heterogeneous data into one or more units, automatically labeling the one or more units based on one or more machine learning techniques, wherein each unit is associated with a label indicating an information type, and structuring the one or more labeled units in a format to facilitate one or more operations that use at least a portion of the labeled units, e.g., information technology (IT) operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gautam Kar, Ruchi Mahindru, Anca Sailer, Xing Wei
  • Patent number: 9477964
    Abstract: The transmission part transmits communication information including the terminal ID of the user terminal, the unit ID of the wireless unit and radio wave intensity to a server, when the user terminal performs short-distance wireless communication to the wireless unit through the radio wave. The collection part collects a chronological change of the radio wave intensity in the terminal ID concerned with the unit ID. The calculation part calculates the flow line that the user moved in the area of the wireless unit and the flow time when the user stays on a part of the flow line. The estimation part estimates action information indicating that the user did actually on the area of the wireless unit. The analysis part analyzes the user's attribute information including the user's preference based on the user's action information and the installation attribute information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Adinte, INC.
    Inventors: Shinji Sogo, Shingo Fujino
  • Patent number: 9477965
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic detection of insertion zones within pre-recorded video material are provided. The apparatus includes a video analysis unit configured to automatically determine at least one candidate insertion zone within the pre-recorded video material suitable for receiving additional material to be inserted and configured to generate zone meta data defining attributes of the insertion zone, and an insertion module configured to receive additional material for insertion and arranged to generate an output representative of the pre-recorded video material with the additional material placed on an insertion zone such that the additional material adopts the image attributes of the insertion zone as the pre-recorded video material is played. The automatic determination of at least one insertion zone is based on one or more of feature shape, size, duration, movement, color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MirriAd Advertising Limited
    Inventors: Mark Popkiewicz, Janko Mrsic-Flogel, Philip McLauchlan
  • Patent number: 9477966
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for accurately estimating the audience of digital content. A plurality of user interactions occurring on a digital device are received, wherein digital content is displayed on the digital device. Based on the plurality of user interactions, a total number of unique viewers of the digital content on the digital device is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward L. Hewett, Eric V. Anderson, William Brandon George, Kevin G. Smith
  • Patent number: 9477967
    Abstract: In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to represent offer rules based on requirements for the detection of predefined types of events and actions scheduled to be performed in response to the detection of each occurrence of the events. The events are independent from each other in processing and are linked via prerequisite conditions and/or ineligibility conditions to formulate the requirements of an offer campaign. In one embodiment, the ineligibility of a user, participating in the offer campaign, to meet the requirements of a first event leads to the monitoring of a second event that has a prerequisite condition formulated based on the ineligibility of the user to meet the requirements of the first event; and the second event provides an alternative path within the offer campaign when the user cannot meet the requirements of the first event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION
    Inventors: Joseph Spears, Mark Carlson, Patrick Stan
  • Patent number: 9477968
    Abstract: A method and system for providing the centralized collection of click-through traffic information. The method includes receiving a DNS query for a domain name at a third party auditing service from a requesting computing resource. The domain name is configured to include click-through information as a subdomain, and wherein a URL associated with the domain name provides content. The click-through information is parsed from the domain name without establishing a connection between said third party auditing server and any web server providing the content. An IP address for the web server associated with the domain name is sent to the requesting computing resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Kount Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy P. Barber
  • Patent number: 9477969
    Abstract: Information regarding a mobile user's context including but not limited to current mobile activity, social relations and associations history, and past mobile, search and browsing history is identified and converted to metadata. Metadata is also applied to content sources delivering content to a search engine or personalized content engine. The metadata is used in part to determine the relative display of content objects delivered to the mobile user as search results or a personalized aggregated information resource, e.g., home page. The user may select information, from one or more entities or search results or as presented to the user in other contexts, to be automatically delivered to the user's home page as a content feed including multiple content objects or content feeds associated with an entity. Information regarding mobile user activity is compiled and used to permit publishers and advertisers to identify target candidates to receive advertisements or marketing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Boerries, Edward Stanley Ott, IV, Keith David Saft, Marc Eliot Davis, Amit Kumar, Erik Nis Jessen, Jonathan Merrel Chum, George Grinsted, Lee John Parry, Adam Taggart
  • Patent number: 9477970
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for determining, based on vehicle sensor data associated with the vehicle, a current vehicle condition that is detrimental to operation of the vehicle, transmitting, by a mobile computing device programmed to perform the transmitting, a description of the current vehicle condition to a condition message provider, and receiving a condition message that includes offer data and mitigating plan data describing one or more steps configured to alter the current vehicle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Vinuth Rai, Dustin Harber, Divya Sai Toopran, Matthew Kresse, Ugur Oezdemir
  • Patent number: 9477971
    Abstract: Techniques are described for providing relevant information to users (e.g., information that is at least potentially of interest to the users). Relevant information for a user may be automatically determined based on a determined context of the user and/or on a request for that information from the user. For example, voice-based information may be obtained from a user in one or more ways, and then analyzed to identify requests or other indications of information of interest and/or to otherwise determine a context of the user that corresponds to potential information of interest. Relevant information for a user may be provided to the user in various ways, such as via a voice-based response during a telephone call and/or via one or more electronic messages sent to the user (e.g., via emails, instant messages, paging messages, SMS or other text messages, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Shreedhar Madhavapeddi, John F. Pollard
  • Patent number: 9477972
    Abstract: A system for providing advertisement information is disclosed. The system includes a display device, at least one near field communication (NFC) antenna and a control for controlling the display device for displaying advertisement contents and NFC antenna for providing data related to the advertisement contents displayed on the display device. The system may include as advertisement management server to supply the advertisement contents and data related to the advertisement contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: AQ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Lee, Jin Hwa Kim
  • Patent number: 9477973
    Abstract: A personalization enhancement method and system. The method includes retrieving and analyzing digital content associated with a user. Characteristics describing the digital content are tagged and transferred to a profile of said the user. The profile includes additional characteristics generated during previous analysis of data from the digital content and additional digital content associated with the user. User information associated with products, a location, and a time profile is assigned. The profile is analyzed based on selection and interaction of the user with respect to a consumer Website. The profile includes the characteristics and the additional characteristics with respect to products and services of the consumer Website. A presentation color setting and a group of products and services of are determined for presentation to the user. The group of products and services are presented to the user using the presentation color setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines
    Inventors: Bernadette R. Duponchel, Myron Flickner, Victoria B. Platt, John R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9477974
    Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing a database are disclosed. The methods and systems determine a key representative of a storage location of first RDF data in a NoSQL database. In addition, the methods and systems read the first RDF data in the NoSQL database using the key. The methods and systems also write second RDF data derived from the first RDF data into a second database stored in memory. The methods and systems may also modify the second RDF data, and write third RDF data derived from the modified second RDF data into the NoSQL database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Amdocs Software Systems Limited
    Inventors: David Witten, Ian Klein
  • Patent number: 9477975
    Abstract: A multi-tenant media processing platform system and method. At least a first media analysis service of a plurality of media analysis services is activated for at least a portion of an active communication session of an entity in the platform system. The first activated media analysis service performs a first media analysis on media of the active communication session that is collected by the platform system. The first activated media analysis service performs the first media analysis on the collected media while the communication session is active to generate a first media analysis result. During the active communication session, at least one media analysis result is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Twilio, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Lawson
  • Patent number: 9477976
    Abstract: A system for transmitting product information of a product is described. The system contains a product with an electronic controller for acquiring and/or storing product information, wherein the product information comprises standard information about the product and current product information, a barcode generating component for generating a barcode for representing the product information, wherein the barcode generating means is connected to the product for data transfer or is integrated into the product, and a barcode updating device for updating the barcode on the basis of the standard information about the product and current product information. There is furthermore an acquisition module for the information acquisition of the product information from the barcode by means of an image recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Bernhard Deck, Werner Vogt, Lorenzo Gulli, Kornel Scherrer
  • Patent number: 9477977
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a personalized shopping experience with a portable computing device (“PCD”) are described. The system and method may include checking-in PCD consumers upon entering an establishment of a merchant. The checking-in of the PCD consumer may include verifying credentials for gaining access to a central mobile payment controller and receiving a merchant identifier corresponding to a merchant from a computer communication's network. Next, a scan of a machine-readable code associated with at least one of a good and a service may be received. Information associated with the machine-readable code may be retrieved from a database. Subsequently, a personalized price for the at least one good or service may be determined by applying one or more rules. The personalized price may be transmitted over a computer communications network to the portable computing device for display to the PCD consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert L. Dessert, Robert Canterbury, Scott Monahan
  • Patent number: 9477978
    Abstract: A system for advising a user on the condition of a vehicle is described. Data can be collected from a vehicle in the form of images or reflected energy from a section or part of the vehicle, and the data can be analyzed to determine if repairs, damage, or other problems are present. The collected data may also be images of identifying panels or insignia on the car. A report with results of the analysis can be provided to the user. The results of the analysis may describe detected damage or repairs, provide vehicle history or identifying information, or report detection of repainting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
    Inventors: Charles Lee Oakes, III, Reynaldo Medina, III
  • Patent number: 9477979
    Abstract: A product customization system and method are provided in which a consumer can insert user content, such as images or text, onto a product, such as a shoe, and then view the customized product before purchasing the customized product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ZAZZLE INC.
    Inventors: Leslie Young Harvill, Robert I. Beaver, III, Eric Dean Matson, E. Paul Salcedo, Eddie Nelson Caggiani
  • Patent number: 9477980
    Abstract: A cubicle for trying on one or more items of clothing and a method for determining a body shape are described. A cubicle includes a display of an avatar with one or more items of clothing, and an interaction unit for a user to modify the items of clothing. The method includes gathering the spatial coordinates of a plurality of points on the surface of the dressed person and body parameters that at least partly define the body shape to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Christian Zagel, Dr.-Ing. Jochen Bjoern Suessmuth, Lukas Malcher
  • Patent number: 9477981
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for conducting sales. A system configured to practice the method receives an inquiry with at least one parameter from a user associated with a sale of an item. The system identifies one or more discount items that satisfy the inquiry and filters the one or more discount items based on a time-sensitive sales opacity scale. The system identifies comparable items for each discount item at nondiscount rates dynamically using real-time data and presents one or more comparable groups to the user, each comparable group including one filtered discount item and respective comparable items. Then the system advances the sale of the discount item based on user acceptance of one of the presented one or more comparable groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Bous
  • Patent number: 9477982
    Abstract: A system includes N location indicators and a mobile scanning device. The N location indicators are configured to be arranged throughout a store that includes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders. Each of the N location indicators is configured to transmit a different location signal. The mobile scanning device includes a display. The mobile scanning device is configured to wirelessly receive an electronic customer order comprising a plurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked, detect at least one of the N location signals, and arrange at least some of the plurality of ordered items on the display based on which of the at least one of the N location signals is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Francis
  • Patent number: 9477983
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) of an application is provided to a user. A user input indicating a request for a demonstration of an online transportation ordering process is received via the GUI. In response to the user input, the demonstration is presented to the user using the GUI. The demonstration includes obtaining the geographic location of the user, displaying the geographic location of the user on a map, and displaying a simulated movement of a transportation entity toward the geographic location of the user on the map. An additional GUI of the application may also be provided to the user. The additional GUI includes a map that indicates the location of the user and one or more transportation entities in the vicinity of the user. The application may accept user input selecting one of the transportation entities and the application may transmit a request for transportation to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GT GETTAXI LIMITED
    Inventor: Shahar Smirin
  • Patent number: 9477984
    Abstract: A system and method for a sales transaction system (STS) in a social media network is presented. The invention provides a simple way to sell and purchase products in a social media environment allowing sellers to easily set up campaigns of a group of products they wish to sell. A member of the social network simply types a purchase direction statement (PDS) that is a keyword to indicate their desire to buy a listed product. The STS detects the PDS and invoices the buyer, updating the seller as to the completed payment, and directing them to ship to the appropriate address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Soldsie, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Bennett, Arrel Gray
  • Patent number: 9477985
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are facilitates category selection by user in a computerized auction. A category field is provided, containing a plurality of category entries used to categorize an item in the auction. One category entry is selected in the category field and at least one subcategory field is provided, containing a plurality of subcategory entries also used to categorize the item in the auction, the subcategory entries corresponding to the one selected category entry of the plurality of category entries. At least one subcategory entry corresponding to the one selected category entry is further selected in the at least one subcategory field for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Dai-Shun Poon
  • Patent number: 9477986
    Abstract: A method of detecting variances in a plurality of accounts from different organizations within an Enterprise Financial Accounting system includes receiving a selection of a first account with an account type; receiving a selection of a first time interval and a second time interval; determining a first amount that is associated with the first account during the first time interval; determining a second amount that is associated with the first account during the second time interval; receiving a selection of a comparison operator that relates the first amount to the second amount; receiving a selection of a threshold; determining a comparison value by comparing the first amount to the second amount according to the comparison operator; determining that the comparison value violates the threshold according to the comparison operator; and displaying a first indication in a portal comprised of the first amount, the second amount, and the comparison value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Imad Jabbour, Mei Siauw, Anil Kumar Desu, David Haimes, Robert C. Zwiebach
  • Patent number: 9477987
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be configured to store instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a process. The process can include receiving, at a first economic conversion block, a first set of parameter values associated with a user identifier, and receiving, at a second economic conversion block, a second set of parameter values associated with the user identifier. The first economic conversion block and the second economic conversion block can be included in a library of conversion blocks. The first economic conversion block and the second economic conversion block can be selected from a library of economic conversion blocks and defining an economic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FrontPaw Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: David Garth Williams
  • Patent number: 9477988
    Abstract: Improved systems and methods are provided for identifying financial relationships. In particular, financial relationships may be identified by associating tradelines with one or more people who sign or co-sign on the tradeline. In various embodiments a method is provided comprising, receiving, at a computer-based system for credit data analysis comprising a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory, credit reporting data relating to a tradeline, parsing, by the computer-based system, the credit reporting data to yield primary debtor data and secondary debtor data and linking, by the computer-based system, the tradeline with the primary debtor data and the secondary debtor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Kathleen Haggerty, Venkat Varadachary
  • Patent number: 9477989
    Abstract: A system and method for sharing information from a vehicle for comparison to information from other vehicles. The system and method include collecting vehicle trace data and sharing the vehicle trace data using a communications network such that the vehicle trace data is compared and ranked relative to the vehicle trace data of other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Donald K. Grimm, Fan Bai, Leonard C. Nieman, Robert A. Hrabak