Patents Issued in December 13, 2016
  • Patent number: 9519884
    Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for workflow processing and, more particularly, for managing creation and execution of data driven dynamic workflows. One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method for managing execution of workflow instances. The method comprises providing a parent process template and providing a child process template. The child process template is configured to implement an arbitrary number of workflow operations for a given workflow instance, and the parent process template is configured to instantiate child processes on the basis of the child process template to implement a desired workflow. The method further comprises receiving a workflow configuration and instantiating an instance of the workflow on the basis of the workflow configuration. The instantiating comprises instantiating a parent process on the basis of the parent process template and instantiating, by the parent process template, one or more child processes on the basis of the child process template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Melissa Aron, Michael A. Blocksome, David G. Herbeck, Todd E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9519885
    Abstract: A data processing system and method that, in some cases, include an EMR system and a web server. In some cases, the EMR system includes a plurality of electronic medical records for a plurality of patients. One or more of the electronic medical records may include a URL or HTTP Post message that defines a path to a web-based resource, such as a treatment algorithm or medical calculator. In some embodiments, the URL and/or HTTP Post message is constructed based on information in a patient's medical record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Karl M. Kochendorfer, Jared S. Coberly
  • Patent number: 9519886
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a web or mobile interface enabling users and collaborators to simultaneously comment, edit, or edit content in real time or near real time managed by a cloud-based collaboration platform. In one embodiment, the data to be accessed concurrently is presented or depicted at the multiple physical devices to the collaborators for viewing and accessing the data in real time or near real time. Each of the collaborators is able to view, re-edit, or re-modify in a concurrent fashion, at the collaborator's physical device, edits or modifications made to the data in real time or near real time as a result of any of the other collaborators accessing the data at their respective physical devices. In some instances, additional collaborators are specifiable for the data created for concurrent real time access in addition to those originally associated with the folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Berger, Nick Rolph, Brandon Savage
  • Patent number: 9519887
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, systems, and apparatuses for self-service data importing. In some aspects, a user may interact with a data importing server to import data into a database and/or manipulate existing data and/or data associations in the database. The data importing server may contain files or scripts of different specifications or processes to perform for a plurality of predefined jobs. The user may interact with the data importing server via a user interface. The user interface may outline each step in the process and enable steps only after the user has completed a previous, prerequisite step. The user interface may provide user selectable buttons to input user commands, and the user selectable buttons may initially be disabled and become enabled after the user or the system performs the corresponding prerequisite step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Hennessy, Amitha Kshirsagar, Gustavo A. Liriano
  • Patent number: 9519888
    Abstract: Email server side or client side components either remove email attachments from the relevant email, or identify the attachment while the email is being composed and makes the attachment available from a secure website or file hosting site. The recipient then receives instructions in the email and links to access the attachments rather than the attachments themselves. Email attachment size limitations are overcome for sender/recipient mail systems. Also, file type limitations related to email attachments are overcome, provides improved attachment security, and reduces email bandwidth costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Adithya Gadwale
  • Patent number: 9519889
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for automatic discovery of how and when people met is provided. A plurality of signals are analyzed to determine a level of significance of each of the plurality of signals in providing a suggested entry into a data field of a contact management system designated to provide a description of how a user met a contact. In response to at least one signal of the plurality of signals exceeding a threshold level of significance, a suggested entry for the data field of the contact management system is determined. The suggested entry of how a user met a contact is automatically displayed to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation
    Inventor: Sachin Rekhi
  • Patent number: 9519890
    Abstract: A calendaring-oriented computer program displays a meeting to which a user of the program has been invited to participate. The program visually indicates that a first other user who has also been invited to participate in the meeting has posted first update information relevant to the meeting and that the user is permitted to view. The program permits the user to post second update information relevant to the meeting and to specify a second other user who has also been invited to participate in the meeting as being permitted to view the second update information. The program permits the user to schedule a time at which the second update information is to be posted. The program permits the user to view the first update information and to post the second update information regardless of whether the user accepts, delegates, or declines, or has accepted, delegated, or declined, the meeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michelle Davis, Darryl M. Adderly
  • Patent number: 9519891
    Abstract: A system and method for recycling non-reusable refrigerant transport containers. At least one intact refrigerant transport container is received into a sealed chamber. The refrigerant transport container is punctured to release residual refrigerant, which is removed and compressed. The container is shredded and/or compacted. A refrigerant transport container deposit program is provided, comprising: encoding a deposit container prior to use; receiving the encoded spent container and releasing the imposed deposit; automatically removing residual refrigerant from the spent container; and recycling materials from the refrigerant transport container. A database storing a record relating to the encoded refrigerant transport containers may be employed for tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hudson Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Zugibe
  • Patent number: 9519892
    Abstract: Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a memory to store transaction records indicating actual amounts of funds collected via a first plurality of premium messages transmitted to a first plurality of phone numbers; and a processor coupled with the memory to transmit, to a second plurality of phone numbers, a second plurality of premium messages to collect payments on behalf of a merchant. Before funds collected via the second premium messages become available, the processor identifies a portion of a total amount of funds charged via the second premium messages, based at least in part on the transaction records stored in the memory, and offers to provide the portion to the merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Boku, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Martell, Mark Britto
  • Patent number: 9519893
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for processing damaged items using image data lift are presented. In some embodiments, a computing platform may receive image data of a deposit item. Subsequently, the computing platform may determine whether a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line of the deposit item is readable. If the MICR line is not readable, the computing platform may perform an image data lift on the image data to extract information from one or more visible fields of the deposit item. Then, the computing platform may identify a payor of the deposit item based on the extracted information and may determine whether the deposit item is an on-us item. If the deposit item is an on-us item, the computing platform may rebuild MICR information for the deposit item. Thereafter, the computing platform may process the deposit item for deposit based on the rebuilt MICR information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Williams
  • Patent number: 9519894
    Abstract: A system and method for conducting electronic commerce are disclosed. In various embodiments, the electronic transaction is a purchase transaction. A user is provided with an intelligent token, such as a smartcard containing a digital certificate. The intelligent token suitably authenticates with a server on a network that conducts all or portions of the transaction on behalf of the user. In various embodiments a wallet server interacts with a security server to provide enhanced reliability and confidence in the transaction. In various embodiments, the wallet server includes a toolbar. In various embodiments, the digital wallet pre-fills forms. Forms may be pre-filled using an auto-remember component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Fred Alan Bishop, Elliott Harold Glazer, Zygmunt Steven Gorgol, William G. Hohle, Michael G. Johnson, David E. Johnstone, Walter Donald Lake, Coby Royer, Marvin Simkin, Nick Swift, Dirk B. White, Russell Bennett
  • Patent number: 9519895
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for associating gift cards with accounts. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: receive information associated with a gift card; associate the gift card with the account; receive information associated with a transaction; determine the transaction qualifies for the gift card; and apply funds associated with the gift card to the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Blackhurst, Dean Lyons Henry
  • Patent number: 9519896
    Abstract: An automated banking machine is operated at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The machine is operative to carry out a financial transfer responsive at least in part to a determination that data read through a card reader of the machine corresponds to a financial account that is authorized to conduct a transaction through operation of the machine. The machine also includes a check acceptor operative to receive checks from machine users. The check acceptor is operative image checks and data resolved from check images is used in operation of the machine to cause financial transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems Division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: James Block, H. Thomas Graef, Paul D. Magee, Donald S. Nelson, Jr., James Meek, Daniel S. McIntyre, Mark DePietro, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 9519897
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a reading apparatus which reads information from a RFID tag attached to a commodity comprises a housing which includes an opening serving as an entrance/exit of the commodity and space for housing the commodity inside; an antenna arranged in the space; an opening and closing lid for opening and closing the opening; a reading module which reads information relating to the commodity from the RFID tag attached to each commodity housed in the housing through the antenna; and an output module which outputs the information read by the reading module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiyasu Terahara
  • Patent number: 9519898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting mobile transactions and/or actions on electronic wearable devices are disclosed. The electronic wearable device comprises a wearable and a base device. The wearable comprises connective hardware components and associated firmware and software for connecting the base device. The wearable comprises a dedicated communication component and at least one dedicated activatable component. The dedicated communication component establishes communication between the electronic wearable device and an application server. The at least one activatable component is operable to be activated for transactions and/or actions for at least one good or service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SMART CELLCO, INC.
    Inventor: Carroll Alexis Spencer, II
  • Patent number: 9519899
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to securing payments from a mobile communications device. In exemplary embodiments, a mobile communications device communicates with a payment server via a point-of-sale device to conduct a transaction. The mobile communications device uses a client payment logic to send payment information to the point-of-sale device. The point-of-sale device uses a vendor payment logic to forward the payment information to the payment server. The payment server verifies the payment information and sends confirmation to the point-of-sale device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Spencer Neil White
  • Patent number: 9519900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, and an arrangement (A) for identifying a purchaser (1) and a retailer (2) and per-forming an economical transaction between the purchaser (1) and the retailer (2) at a point of sale (21), where the purchaser (1) has a mobile device (11), and where the point of sale (21) communicates with a transaction system (3). The transaction system (3) transfers funds (31) from the purchaser to the retailer according to given information from the purchaser and the retailer. The inventive method, and arrangement comprise the steps of; the mobile device (11) reading an identity of the point of sale (24) by means of a at least one of a camera, and a radio frequency receiver comprised in the mobile device (11), the mobile device (11), and point of sale generates and transmits messages comprising the identity of the point of sale (24) and the identity of the mobile device (14) through different channels of communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SEQR Group AB
    Inventors: Peter Fredell, Mikael Signarsson
  • Patent number: 9519901
    Abstract: In some examples, methods and systems may process one or more payment transactions between a merchant and a customer by registering, by a biometric sensor of a payment object reader or a mobile device, a biometric characteristic as a biometric payment instrument, for example by obtaining data corresponding to a biometric characteristic of the customer. The data is converted into a digital signature of the biometric characteristic and compared with a registered biometric instrument at the time of transaction. If a match is obtained, the customer effects payments through the registered biometric instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse Dorogusker
  • Patent number: 9519902
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fraud monitoring in a payment service are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a first server being located at a first locale and routing a first series of transaction requests. The system includes a second server being located at a second locale and routing a second series of transaction requests. The transactions requests may or may not be associated with a single payment service user account. The system includes a distributed cache storing a set of transaction details of the two series of transaction requests. The system includes a risk service having access to the set of transaction details from the distributed cache. The risk service generates a fraud warning based on a result of a comparison of at least one transaction detail in the set of transaction details and at least one transaction detail of a new transaction request received by the first server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Quisk, Inc.
    Inventors: Praveen Amancherla, Kumar Kartikeya
  • Patent number: 9519903
    Abstract: The location of a user is obtained and, based on the location of the user and services available to, or requested by the user, a notification handler sends appropriate notifications to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: 24/7 CUSTOMER, INC.
    Inventors: Pallipuram V. Kannan, A. Kranthi Mitra, Santhosh Kumar Arjunan
  • Patent number: 9519904
    Abstract: A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Thin Film Electronics ASA
    Inventor: Matthew A. Bright
  • Patent number: 9519905
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a vehicle uses a wireless mobile device. The wireless mobile device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, PDA, etc., includes some of the hardware that could be utilized to monitor and analyze data and transmit the data (or summaries, statistics or analyses of the data) to a central server. This can greatly reduce the overall cost of the system. The data can be used to determine an insurance rate or as a speed probe for creating traffic maps, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Otman A. Basir
  • Patent number: 9519906
    Abstract: A ranking system ranks visitors to a Web site using one or more instances of machine-readable code executable from a digital medium accessible to a Web server. The code tracks visitor behavior while browsing the web site, and a visitor ranking module resident on the digital medium accepts information documented by the one or more instances of machine readable code and assigns rank values to one or more of the visitors. The ranking module ranks visitors at the Web-site based on logic and rules for interpreting visitor behavior and for applies a value to the visitor in real time based on that interpretation, and values applied at or above a preprogrammed level trigger solicitation of the visitor so ranked to engage in interaction including live assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolay Anisimov, Mark Scott, Yevgeniy Petrovykh, Yi Chang
  • Patent number: 9519907
    Abstract: A method includes generating a delta price and generating a final price using the delta price. A process and system provide an ability to determine a product's final price with a selected set of features in which multiple configurations are to be generated. The ability to determine such final prices can be based on the ability to determine the change in price between one configuration of a product and that of another product configuration (e.g. the product configured with the desired feature(s)). A customer is able to select one or more features, and so view the effect on the product's final price, as well as compare the prices (and incremental price differences) between various configurations of a given product. This increases the likelihood of the purchase being made, because it provides the potential purchaser with the final price earlier in the sales cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Versata Development Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Carter, III, Meetesh M. Karia, August R. Buerkle, Boris Motik, Ramanathan Ramadass, Reuben Swartz
  • Patent number: 9519908
    Abstract: Methods and systems for issuing targeted coupons with a network-based system is disclosed. For example, a system can include a targeting module, a coupon rules engine, a coupon generation engine, a coupon widget, and a checkout module. The targeting module can create a model for controlling coupon generation. The coupon rules engine can determine whether a user accessing the network-based system qualifies to receive a coupon based at least in part on application of the model created by the targeting module. The coupon generation engine can generate a coupon based on the coupon rules engine determining that the user qualifies to receive a coupon. The coupon widget can present the coupon to the user while the user is accessing the network-based system. Finally, the checkout module can apply the coupon to a purchase by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Raza Ali Malik, Scott Bruck
  • Patent number: 9519909
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify users of handheld computing devices are disclosed. An example method includes generating, via a logic circuit, a first handling pattern indicative of a manner in which a handheld computing device is moved while the handheld computing device is presenting media; and storing the first handling pattern and corresponding user identification information in a database, handling patterns stored in the database to identify users of the handheld computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen Nielsen, Scott Cooper
  • Patent number: 9519910
    Abstract: A system and method that calibrates subject data for which a relationship to a target population is not known, so that the calibrated subject data can more accurately represent the target population. In many cases the calibration will involve the use of a differential weighting scheme applied to the data at the constituent level. The system and method allows the values of the observed variables in the subject data set to be weighted so that their incidence is equivalent to that of a reference population represented by a reference data set, even if the variables used in the reference data set to make estimates for the reference population were not collected or measured for the subject data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RENTRAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Palit, Bill Engel, Michael Vinson, Bruce Goerlich
  • Patent number: 9519911
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises at least one database for storing digital information associated with at least a first user and a second user, at least one links module for the first user and for the second user, at least one manipulations module and at least one display device for respectively displaying at least said linked digital information wherein said linked digital information associated with said first user is automatically updated on at least said display device of said second user when that information is manipulated, and wherein said linked digital information associated with said second user is automatically updated on at least said display device of said first user when that information is manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: mBLAST, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Briere, Paul W. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9519912
    Abstract: In demand prediction, a history of demand for a resource is modeled to generate a baseline model of the demand, and demand for the resource at a prediction time is predicted by evaluating a regression function of depth k operating on an input data set including at least the demand for the resource at the prediction time output by the baseline model and measured demand for the resource measured at k times prior to the prediction time. The resource may be off-street parking, and the input data set may further include weather data. The regression function may comprise a support vector regression (SVR) function that is trained on the history of demand for the resource. The baseline model suitably comprises a Fourier model of the history of demand for the resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Boris Chidlovskii, Mohammad Ghufran
  • Patent number: 9519913
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatuses for capturing a real-time video stream using a mobile computing device, determining, using a computing device processor, which images from the real-time video stream are associated with goods and businesses consistent with a predetermined social impact, and presenting on a display of the real-time video stream, one or more indicators, each indicator being associated with an image determined to be consistent with a predetermined social impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, Erik Stephen Ross, Alfred Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9519914
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine ratings information for online media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes receiving pingback messages corresponding to presentation of media at a client device, determining a portion of the media that was presented at the client device based on the pingback messages, obtaining demographic information associated with the client device, and determining a demographic characteristic associated with the presentation of the portion of the media based on the pingback messages and the demographic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Splaine, Kevin K. Gaynor, Narasimha Reddy Goli
  • Patent number: 9519915
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering purchasing incentives and a variety of other retail shopping aids through a computer network, such as by E-mail over the Internet or the World Wide Web. Customers (10) of retail stores can establish a bi-directional communication link with the system, log in (16) to the system, and then elect to browse among available purchasing incentive offers (18, 22), or elect to explore other shopping aids, such as a shopping list generator (26), a recipe center (30), or simply elect to claim a product rebate or to receive product information. If the customer elects to have product information or rebate information delivered, only minimal customer identification is required. For purchase incentives redeemable at retail stores, the customer must provide identification information and must also designate a retailer (12) at which the purchasing incentive can be exercised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CATALINA MARKETING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Scroggie, Michael E. Kacaba, David A. Rochon, David M. Diamond
  • Patent number: 9519916
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, articles, and computer-implemented methods for assessing effectiveness of communication content and optimizing content distribution to enhance business objectives. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to computer-implemented methods for a computer-implemented method, comprising conducting an experiment using experimental content to determine effectiveness of communication content and executing, while conducting the experiment, a machine learning routine (MLR) using MLR content to enhance an effectiveness metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian E. Brooks, Brian J. Stankiewicz, Jonathan B. Arthur, Craig G. Markell, Brian L. Linzie
  • Patent number: 9519917
    Abstract: A method and a system for context-based real-time advertising are provided. In example embodiments, a document content that is displayed to a user may be analyzed and keywords may be identified. Selected listings from a publication system may be received; the selected listings may be selected using the keywords. The system may detect user events associated with the keywords and, in response to the detection of the user events, display information related to the listings while maintaining the displaying of the document content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Geiger
  • Patent number: 9519918
    Abstract: Image-based features may be significantly correlated with click-through rates of images that depict a product, which may provide a more formal basis for the informal notion that good quality images will result in better click-through rates, as compared to poor quality images. Accordingly, an image assessment machine is configured to analyze image-based features to improve click-through rates for shopping search applications (e.g., a product search engine). Moreover, the image assessment machine may rank search results based on image quality factors and may notify sellers about low quality images. This may have the effect of improving the brand value for an online shopping website and accordingly have a positive long-term impact on the online shopping website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Anjan Goswami, Naren Chittar, Ali Dasdan, Sanjay Pundlkrao Ghatare, Sandip Namdeo Gaikwad, Sung Hwan Chung
  • Patent number: 9519919
    Abstract: A system or method is provided to detect and check-in a user at a merchant's store. The system may retrieve the user's preferences and may customize advertisements and/or promotions based on the user's preferences. The customized advertisements may then be presented or displayed to the user as the user browses or shops in the merchant's store. In particular, the customized advertisements may be selected or generated based on the user's transaction history, browsing history, purchase history, pre-defined preferences, and the like. In an embodiment, the system may detect and check-in multiple users at a merchant's location. The system may select or generate advertisements based on multiple users who are visiting the merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventor: Prakash Chandra
  • Patent number: 9519920
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automated management of campaigns using scripted rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Varouj A. Chitilian, Ilya Netchitailo, Nikhil Bakshi, Jiaqi Yu, Chetan Patel
  • Patent number: 9519921
    Abstract: A fleet management system has a communication and positioning module associated with each fleet vehicle, and a back end monitoring and control system located at a fleet data center in communication with each vehicle. The system monitors each trip automatically and generates time stamps at the start of a trip, a pick up location, a drop off location, and return of the vehicle to a garage at the end of a trip. Vehicle status information is collected and stored along with time stamps. The information is used to generate billing and payroll accounts, and also in monitoring conditions of fleet vehicles and generating alerts as needed. Turn-by-turn route instructions are provided to each vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: E-Lantis Corporation
    Inventors: Hongfeng Wei, Sid Forougi
  • Patent number: 9519922
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically identifying an electronic document. The method includes accessing, within an electronic device, an electronic document and extracting text from the electronic document. A signature is then determined based on the text of the electronic document and the signature is communicated over a communication channel. The method further includes receiving an identifier of the electronic document over the communication channel. In one embodiment, the identifier is determined by a server matching the signature against a signature library. The method further includes receiving a bookmark associated with the electronic document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO INC.
    Inventors: Jordan Christensen, Darius Braziunas
  • Patent number: 9519923
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for using video analysis, such as augmented reality or the like to assist a group of users to utilize mobile devices for creating a collective network environment of users that identifies objects in which one or more users in a group of users may be interested, and notifies the one or more users of information associated with the object. A collective network comprises a group of users that each have a mobile device that contains or is otherwise operatively coupled to a data capture device. For example, the mobile device may be a mobile phone that is capable of taking video with a camera device. A user in the collective network may capture video on his mobile device, and an application can identify the object in the video and provide interested users in the collective network with information about the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, Erik Stephen Ross, Alfred Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9519924
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for using video analysis, such as augmented reality or the like to assist a group of users to utilize mobile devices for creating a collective network environment of users that identifies objects in which one or more users in a group of users may be interested, and notifies the one or more users of information associated with the object. A collective network comprises a group of users that each have a mobile device that contains or is otherwise operatively coupled to a data capture device. For example, the mobile device may be a mobile phone that is capable of taking video with a camera device. A user in the collective network may capture video on his mobile device, and an application can identify the object in the video and provide interested users in the collective network with information about the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, Erik Stephen Ross, Alfred Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9519925
    Abstract: A method, medium, and system are provided to facilitate local or global exchange of goods and services through a decentralized network of peer-to-peer (P2P) nodes. In one aspect of the disclosure, the nodes may be maintained or operated by the participants in the marketplace system. In one aspect, the system may operate on both desktop and mobile devices. In one aspect, the system operates with decentralized data storage. In one aspect, the system operates with a decentralized system of incentives for participation of nodes. In one aspect, the system operates with decentralized communication. In one aspect, the system operates with a decentralized system to escrow payments between participants. In one aspect, the system operates with a decentralized system of load balancing. In one aspect, the system operates with a decentralized system by which certain listings can be prioritized in the network. In one aspect, the system operates with decentralized transaction processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Richard R. Crites
  • Patent number: 9519926
    Abstract: Product search results may be presented to a user via a map view, with merchants selling a selected product displayed on a map. A buy now button may be displayed for a merchant within the map view, allowing the user to execute a purchase transaction directly from the map view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Arunachalam Muthu
  • Patent number: 9519927
    Abstract: A system allows people to more easily find products matching their skin tone. A kiosk at a retail store or other location can assist customers in determining what products are right for them and then purchase them from the retailer. The kiosk can include a scanning device is used to scan one or more spots of a person's skin. For example, three different spots can be scanned. The scan determines a skin-tone identifier for the person's skin. This skin-tone identifier is used by a software program (e.g., executing on a tablet computer) to determine and output a listing of products that are appropriate for the person's skin tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sephora USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucie Tuan, Savio Thattil, Erin Grody, Rauvan Dulay, Julie Bornstein, Margarita Arriagada
  • Patent number: 9519928
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing product evaluation. An exemplary apparatus is configured to identify purchase transaction data associated with identified electronic communications between a merchant and a customer, the purchase transaction data includes product level data from a transaction, receive the identified purchase transaction data, the purchase transaction data is received in an unstructured format, convert the purchase transaction data from the unstructured format to a structured format, associate the structured purchase transaction data with the customer's online banking application, aggregate purchase transaction data related to one or more products purchased by the customer, determine one or more products are purchased on a recurring basis, and provide the customer with one or more options based at least partially on determining the one or more products are purchased on a recurring basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Bank of American Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, Katherine Dintenfass, Jason P. Blackhurst, Carrie A. Hanson, Laura C. Bondesen
  • Patent number: 9519929
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that provides an Internet wish list for deferred purchasing. A user clicks on an add to wish list button located on locations, such as, a product page, a banner ad, or search results to add an item to the wish list. A reminder system is used to remind a user to purchase an item at a future time. The shopping list service may be integrated at a high level of integration and a low level of integration. On a low level of integration a proxy platform is used to add functionality to a website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Faten “Fay” Hellal, Fletcher Jones, Kamal Acharya, Peter Gremett, Jai-Jen Chang, Matthew Crampton
  • Patent number: 9519930
    Abstract: An order relating to a formulation-based product is received, wherein fulfilling the order requires production of the formulation-based product at a first location, transport of the formulation-based product in a vehicle to a second location different from the first location, and performance of an activity with respect to the formulation-based product at the second location. First information relating to a first change made to the formulation-based product at the first location is received, from the first location, prior to transport of the formulation-based product. Second information relating to a second change made to the formulation-based product during transport of the formulation-based product is received during transport of the formulation-based product. Third information relating to the activity performed with respect to the formulation-based product at the second location is received from the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: QUIPIP, LLC
    Inventor: Farrokh F. Radjy
  • Patent number: 9519931
    Abstract: Systems and methods of personalized actionable notifications are disclosed. In some example embodiments, event information indicating an event for an item is received, a determination is made to provide a notification of the event to the user based on the event information and user activity information for the user, the notification is generated based on the determination, and the generated notification is caused to be displayed on a screen of the computing device via an application on a computing device of the user without causing the computing device to leave a context of content being displayed on the computing device prior to the notification being displayed on the computing device, the application being independent of the context, the notification overlaying the content, and the notification further comprising at least one user interface element configured to enable the user to request an action to be performed for the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Piper, Mark Joseph Eppolito
  • Patent number: 9519932
    Abstract: System, method, and computer program product are provided for using real-time video analysis, such as augmented reality to provide the user of a mobile device with real-time budgeting and wish lists. Through the use of real-time vision object recognition objects, logos, artwork, products, locations, and other features that can be recognized in the real-time video stream can be matched to data associated with such to provide the user with real-time budget impact and wish list updates based on the products and budget data determined as being the object. In this way, the objects, which may be products and/or budget data in the real-time video stream, may be included into a user's budget and/or wish list, such that the user receives real-time budget and/or wish list updates incorporating product and/or budget data located in a real-time video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, Erik Stephen Ross
  • Patent number: 9519933
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to computer systems for facilitating payment for an item that is sent from a consignor to a consignee. In particular embodiments, the computer system facilitates an automatic, electronic transfer of payment for the item at a designated time that, for example, may be defined in relation to the delivery of the item to the consignee. For example, payment for the item may be electronically transferred to the consignor's bank account via a clearinghouse server at a designated time after delivery of the item, by a common carrier, to the consignee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney Darensbourg, Derrick Johnson, Thomas Turney