Patents Issued in August 1, 2017
  • Patent number: 9721239
    Abstract: A system and method for managing content between a plurality of user devices an online communication environment through the use of a permission-value avatar comprising, at least, a unit database. A social network provides the plurality of users a communication environment to connect with other user devices. Content access and engagement permissions between unconnected user devices are released upon a transfer of units associated to a permission-value avatar consisting of a thematic representation, mutual content-access permissions, and a unit amount. Through the content access management system and permission-value avatar method, user incentives are aligned through the reward of content-access permissions in exchange for social network activity and unit exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Oppa Inc.
    Inventor: Ching Hung Ho
  • Patent number: 9721240
    Abstract: Techniques for implementing software licensing in a massive parallel processing environment on the basis of the actual use of licensed software instances are disclosed. In one embodiment, rather than using a license server or a node-locked license strategy, each use of a licensed software instance is monitored and correlated with a token. A store of tokens is maintained within the licensing system and a token is consumed after each instance successfully executes. Further, a disclosed embodiment also allows jobs that execute multiple software instances to complete execution, even if an adequate number of tokens does not exist for each remaining software instance. Once the license tokens are repurchased and replenished, any overage consumed from previous job executions may be reconciled. In this way, token-based licensing can be adapted to large scale computing environments that execute jobs of large and unpredictable sizes, while the cancellation of executing jobs may be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jerrold M. Heyman, Michael L. Nelson, Andrew G. Tonkin
  • Patent number: 9721241
    Abstract: A document handler system and method includes timed operation functionality in which the manufacturer of the document handler may input coded information in the document handler to establish a timed operation of the document handler which may be contingent on continued payments for use of the document handler. Alternatively, or in addition, the timed operation may be used to establish an appropriate warranty period during which the manufacturer is obligated to provide repairs, modification and/or support for the document handler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: JCM American Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Henderson, Bryan Allen Wilcutt, Mark Adams, David Christopher Kubajak, Steven Johnson
  • Patent number: 9721242
    Abstract: A method of payment terminal operation, including: receiving a payment collection request for a payment from an application, generating a payment initiation request for the payment, sending the payment initiation request to a secure processing system, switching the secure processing system from operation in an unsecured mode to operation in a secured mode in response to receipt of the payment initiation request, facilitating payment information entry, and receiving a payment response notification, generated based on the payment information, at the main processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Poynt Co.
    Inventors: Osama Bedier, Ray Tanaka, Praveen Alavill, Syed Fayez Asar, Victor Chau
  • Patent number: 9721243
    Abstract: A transaction system for coordinating processing of a transaction payment request associated with a transaction between a consumer and a merchant, comprising: a computer processor programmed for: receiving the transaction payment request including consumer code data and identification information, the consumer code data representative of a subaccount registered with a transaction interface; accessing the subaccount to obtain payment information related to the transaction payment request; creating a payment confirmation request using said identification information; sending said payment confirmation request over the network to a mobile device; obtaining authorization information from the mobile device; sending a funds transfer request to a payment platform based on the authorization information matching the required authorization information; receiving approval of the funds transfer request from the payment platform; and sending a confirmation of the approval of the funds transfer request to a computer device
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Riavera Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Itwaru
  • Patent number: 9721244
    Abstract: A two way authentication method, including receiving by an authentication server first encrypted data from a merchant computing device, receiving by the authentication server second encrypted data from a customer computing device, determining by the authentication server if the first encrypted data matches the second encrypted data, if the first encrypted data matches the second encrypted data, authenticating the customer computing device, if the first encrypted data does not matches the second encrypted data, not authenticating the customer computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Maher Pedersoli
  • Patent number: 9721245
    Abstract: Systems and methods may comprise RFID data acquisition technology which may be embedded in a fob or tag for use in completing financial transactions. This fob may a self-contained device which includes a transponder and which may be contained on any portable form factor. For instance, the tag may be housed in a wearable transaction instrument, such as an activity tracker. The tag is configured to be used in concert with an RFID reader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Manish K. Deliwala, Jason E. Muncey, Keshav A. Narsipur, Sreenivasan B. Parameshwara, Manoj Krishnamma Thulaseedharan Pillai, Anthony I. Prentice, Lisa C. Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9721246
    Abstract: An object-oriented synchronization pattern for synchronizing a mobile application and a corresponding enterprise application is provided herein. The synchronization pattern uses service invocations to convey application state differential from the mobile device to the enterprise server and object-based database synchronization for conveying application state differential from the enterprise to the mobile device. Service invocations may be conveyed in batch or individually separately and using a variety of service types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SYBASE, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Man Kin Ho
  • Patent number: 9721247
    Abstract: A payment terminal, including: a display, an input device configured to generate input signals indicative of a user input, a payment instrument reader configured to receive payment instrument data from a financial payment instrument, a secure processor connected to the payment instrument reader, a main processor connected to the display, the main processor separate and distinct from the secure processor, a secure input processor connected to the input device and the secure processor, wherein the secure processor is operable between an unsecured mode, wherein the secure processor sends input coordinates based on the input signals received from the secure input processor to the main processor; and a secured mode, wherein the secure input processor ceases input coordinate forwarding to the main processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Poynt Co.
    Inventors: Osama Bedier, Ray Tanaka, Robert Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9721248
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for managing financial tokens associated with a financial account, whereby the system is directed towards generating and authenticating tokens associated with the financial account in order to grant access to a user to conduct financial transactions on the financial account using an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The system is configured to generate a server token that is associated with at least one financial account; communicate, to a first mobile device, a server packet comprising at least the server token; receive, from an ATM, a security packet communicated from a second mobile device to the ATM comprising at least a device token; authenticate the device token, the authentication comprising comparing the device token with the server token, thereby resulting in a successful authentication of the device token; and communicate the successful authentication to the ATM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Laura Corinne Bondesen, Jason P. Blackhurst, Scott Lee Harkey, William Blakely Belchee, Tammy L. Brunswig
  • Patent number: 9721249
    Abstract: Data can be protected in mobile and payment environments through various tokenization operations. A mobile device can tokenize communication data based on device information and session information associated with the mobile device. A payment terminal can tokenize payment information received at the payment terminal during a transaction based on transaction information associated with the transaction. Payment data tokenized first a first set of token tables and according to a first set of tokenization parameters by a first payment entity can be detokenized or re-tokenized with a second set of token tables and according to a second set of tokenization parameters. Payment information can be tokenized and sent to a mobile device as a token card based on one or more selected use rules, and a user can request a transaction based on the token card. The transaction can be authorized if the transaction satisfies the selected use rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Protegrity Corporation
    Inventors: Ulf Mattsson, Yigal Rozenberg
  • Patent number: 9721250
    Abstract: A portable consumer device that is used to conduct a transaction at a merchant is authenticated. Information provided to a server computer includes locations of a merchant and a mobile communication device possessed by a consumer. If the location of the mobile communication device corresponds to the location of the merchant, the portable consumer device that is used to conduct the transaction is authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Ayman Hammad, Patrick Faith
  • Patent number: 9721251
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for intelligent payment capture in mixed fulfillment transactions. For example, the techniques described herein may include generating a purchase ticket associated with multiple items in a mixed fulfillment transaction. The purchase ticket may facilitate conducting a mixed fulfillment transaction in which a payment instrument is authorized for the cost of the multiple items in the mixed fulfillment transaction, with partial payment captures being made as items are fulfilled without requiring additional authorizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jen, Benjamin Hartard, Gillian May Lian Wee, Taylor Caswell Cascino, Grace Huey Chen
  • Patent number: 9721252
    Abstract: Back-up credentials data is stored for a user. A communication channel is established with a mobile device. A cryptogram is received from the mobile device, such that the cryptogram is relayed by the mobile device from an authentication device that interacted with the mobile device. The authentication device is associated with the user. The cryptogram is verified. In response to the verification of the cryptogram, the stored back-up credentials data is made accessible to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MasterCard International Incorporated
    Inventors: Simon Phillips, Mark Britten, Mehdi Collinge
  • Patent number: 9721253
    Abstract: Various forms of information are utilized in a system and accompanying method for making inferences regarding the trustworthiness of a person performing an online transaction and deciding whether to allow the transaction to have material implications. More specifically, the information relates to the online browsing activity of a user and the online transaction being performed by the user. Further, information regarding certain probable characteristics of the user is determined based on a possible association between the user and one or more known entities. Based on the foregoing information, model attributes are derived and provided as input to a fraud determination model. Using this model and one or more of the attributes, a probability that the transaction is fraudulent is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Forter Ltd.
    Inventors: Iftah Gideoni, Ofir Reich, Yaniv Arthur Baruch Meller
  • Patent number: 9721254
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user device are described. Different versions of a media program and advertisements are generated and segmented, and transmitted to a media player individually, allowing different advertisements to be selected for presentation to users according to user demographics and other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HULU, LLC
    Inventors: William Z. Holt, Xinan Wu, Eden S. Li, Baptiste Coudurier, Alexander V. Gutarin
  • Patent number: 9721255
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium having processor-executable instructions recorded thereon is provided for distributing transactional advertisements from a distribution site over a network to online publishers. Transactional data items are rendered by the online publishers, with control elements provided from the distribution site, to control use of the transactional data items on the user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: QUOTIENT TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Manickababu Muthu, Gayathri Uday Nayak, Nahrin Reihaneh, Tino Gudelj, Ravi Kant Keswani, Steven R. Boal
  • Patent number: 9721256
    Abstract: A system for providing product data collection, monitoring, and tracking contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: receiving product information and a scannable code; creating and assigning a unique product identifier to the received product information and associated scannable code; receiving customer registration information; creating and assigning a unique customer identifier to the received customer information; associating the unique product identifier with the unique customer identifier; and after receiving the scannable code from a remote device, providing the remote device with access to the received product information. The collected structured and/or unstructured data is secured during transit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institue of Technology
    Inventor: Kenfield Allistair Griffith
  • Patent number: 9721257
    Abstract: A system for remote servicing of customers includes an interactive display unit at the customer location providing two-way audio/visual communication with a remote service/sales agent, wherein communication inputted by the agent is delivered to customers via a virtual Digital Actor on the display. The system also provides for remote customer service using physical mannequins with interactive capability having two-way audio visual communication ability with the remote agent, wherein communication inputted by the remote service or sales agent is delivered to customers using the physical mannequin. A web solution integrates the virtual Digital Actor system into a business website. A smart phone solution provides the remote service to customers via an App. In another embodiment, the Digital Actor is instead displayed as a 3D hologram. The Digital Actor is also used in an e-learning solution, in a movie studio suite, and as a presenter on TV, online, or other broadcasting applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Ratnakumar Navaratnam
  • Patent number: 9721258
    Abstract: Embodiments validate cryogenic processing of metal-matrix validation articles according to destructive and/or non-destructive testing of witness articles. For example, validation can certify that the validation article has undergone a particular cryogenic treatment protocol, resulting in validated and/or certified enhancements in wear characteristics, resistance to corrosion, increases in electrochemical bonding of surface treatments, increases in theoretical useable lifespan, etc. According to some embodiments, processing results are validated by generating witness results from destructive and/or non-destructive testing of the witness articles subsequent to deep-cryogenic treatment. The processing (e.g., including witness results and/or analysis thereof) may then be entered into a computer-controlled, parametric analysis system that generates absolute and comparative validation and/or certification of the validation articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AMS Corporation
    Inventor: Jack Cahn
  • Patent number: 9721259
    Abstract: A counterfeit detection system may include a memory storing a module comprising machine readable instructions to determine a X-identification (XID) associated with a product. The XID may include an unencrypted component and/or an encrypted component associated with a parameter associated with the product. The machine readable instructions may further include selecting one or more validation rules, from a plurality of validation rules, to select one or more validation techniques from a plurality of validation techniques used to determine an authenticity of the product. The machine readable instructions may further include using the one or more selected validation techniques to determine the authenticity of the product based on the XID associated with the product. The counterfeit detection system may include a processor to implement the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Sanjoy Paul, Gurdeep Singh, Sankalp Sharma
  • Patent number: 9721260
    Abstract: A method and apparatus includes providing a cryptographic key, in an inactive state, to a point in a supply chain for manufactured items, providing the cryptographic key, in an active state, and an activation code for activating the cryptographic key, to a verification center, and providing the activation code to the point in the supply chain in response to the point in the supply chain transmitting information relating to the received cryptographic key. The method includes generating, at the point in the supply chain, an identification (ID) code for each manufactured item, derived from the cryptographic key in the active state and a dynamic key generated for each batch of manufactured items. Including providing the dynamic key for each batch of manufactured items to the verification center, marking each manufactured item with the ID code, and counting the actual or correct number of ID codes marked on the manufactured items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INEXTO SA
    Inventors: Philippe Chatelain, Patrick Chanez, Erwan Fradet, Alain Sager
  • Patent number: 9721261
    Abstract: Persistent, electronically anchored currency notes (PEAC notes) may be generated by a transaction provider and maintained in a datastore. Each PEAC note may be associated with a respective unique identifier and asset held by a custodian. The transaction provider may provide for assigning ownership of the PEAC notes to various entities and/or transferring ownership therebetween. Ownership transfers may be performed by the transaction provider while maintaining the PEAC notes in the datastore and/or maintaining the asset(s) associated therewith their respective custodian(s). A PEAC note may be tied to one or more usage conditions, which restrict transfers thereof. The usage conditions may be removed when release conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CapitalWill, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Wilkes
  • Patent number: 9721262
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention facilitate the sale of products, such as goods and/or services. Specifically, merchants of products provide incentives for consumers that may be defined by time and geography to drives sales of the products, such as during low demand periods. Moreover, the present invention allows consumers to search for and claim time-sensitive incentives from merchants; specifically, incentives requiring instant or nearly instant acceptance and/or redeemability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas Krone
  • Patent number: 9721263
    Abstract: A system is described that implements symmetrical object profiles across one or more objects, wherein an object profile is influenced by other object profiles with which it interacts. In particular, the system includes a configuration for a first object profile that is associated with a first object, wherein the first object profile comprises a set of attributes having a first set of valuations. The system includes a configuration for a second object profile that is associated with a second object, wherein the second object profile comprises said set of attributes having a second set of valuations. The system includes a profile updater for managing the first object profile and the second object profile, wherein in a transaction involving the first and second objects, corresponding object profiles are updated based on valuations in the first and second set of valuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLC
    Inventor: Pavel A Fort
  • Patent number: 9721264
    Abstract: A system and method for combining CAD, inspection, and building guideline data for analyzing repair decisions and selecting waste containers is described. One embodiment includes receiving digital building facet data for a first building facet of a set of one or more building facets; receiving digital inspection data for the first building facet; determining an amount of building material required to repair damage to an area of the first building facet, including determining a first amount of waste building material; determining a repair indicator for the first building facet, the determining a repair indicator based at least in part upon the digital facet data for the first building facet and the inspection data for the first building facet; determining an appropriate waste container based upon the first amount of waste material; and displaying an electronic image of the set of one or more building facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ACCURENCE, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary Labrie, Benjamin Zamora, Tim Bruffey
  • Patent number: 9721265
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating adaptive surveys including questions and answer options selectable by users, and human-readable review prose based on answers to the questions. The survey may be related to an assessment of a business, and may be transmitted to a user electronic device. The generated survey may include one or more questions with selectable answer options. The selection of the answer options can be received from the user electronic device, and be used to generate the prose for the review. The user and/or the business may edit the prose and/or modify the intensity of the generated review. Tree data structures may be utilized to generate the questions of the survey, to store the answers, and generate the sentences of the review. Analytic data may be generated based on the selected answer options, which can be used to assess and influence marketing and business efforts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PowerReviews OC, LLC
    Inventors: Gilbert T. Olander, III, Christopher Lubkert, Joe Lobraco, Brian Dillard
  • Patent number: 9721266
    Abstract: The present invention relates to business-to-business marketing organizations who participate in lead-generation activities via their company website. More particularly, the invention provides a target lead-generation system and method that targets the right businesses using real-time predictive and behavioral analytics and website traffic data and connects businesses to potential customers and suppliers to drive business revenue. Even more particularly, the invention provides a system and method for real-time searching and matching of data input into website registration forms by website visitors, provides for real-time cleansing and appending of attribute rich company demographic and firmographic data to the website form and to the marketing database. The resulting information is then available for use by other systems such as marketing automation systems and CRM systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Reachforce Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Riazzi, Ken Hubacker, Bob Solnek, Justin England, Jerome Nolte
  • Patent number: 9721267
    Abstract: Profiles characterizing each of a plurality of consumers are received. Thereafter, each profile is associated with one of a plurality of customer segments (e.g., matched pairs, etc.). Thereafter, a coupon effectiveness index is determined for each of the plurality of consumers for an offering based on the associated customer segment. The coupon effectiveness indices model characterizes causal effects estimates determined using historical data of purchases of individuals having varying coupon treatments for the offering. Subsequently, provision of at least a portion of the determined coupon effectiveness indices is initiated. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald Fahner, Zhenyu Yan, Shafi Rahman, Amit Kiran Sowani
  • Patent number: 9721268
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing supplemental account information in digital wallets. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: receive a request to provide a digital wallet on a user's mobile device, authenticate at least one payment credential for use within the digital wallet; receive access to an application programming interface configured to push offers to digital wallets, wherein the application programming interface is associated with at least one database maintained by the digital wallet provider; receive, via the application programming interface one or more offers from the at least one database, wherein the offers include at least one incentive for processing payments using the at least one payment credential associated with the digital wallet; and present, to the user on a display of the mobile device, the one or more offers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Laura Corinne Bondesen, Jason P. Blackhurst, Scott Lee Harkey, William Blakely Belchee, Tammy L. Brunswig
  • Patent number: 9721269
    Abstract: Interacting with a virtual presentation includes: entering a first registration code associated with a first product for registering the first product on a website via a user account; accessing a restricted portion of the website that was not accessible prior to registering the first product; displaying a virtual character that is controllable on the website; registering a second product by entering a second registration code provided to the product, wherein the second product is different than the first product, the second character also accessed via the user account; receiving content for displaying a second virtual character that is controllable on the website; and gaining access to additional content, beyond a chat function, for the first product in response to registration of the second product with the user account, wherein the additional content comprises additional resources of the website beyond the resources provided after registration of the first product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventor: Howard Ganz
  • Patent number: 9721270
    Abstract: Communications services are integrated with personalized selections of content and with social networks. A computer of an interactive system determines that an initiating communications party is associated with a personal content account external to the communications service provider. Personalized selections of content are provided from the personal content account to the initiating communications party during the communications session. The computer of the interactive system may also determine an agent to assign to the communication session in accordance with feedback received from communications parties based on previous communications between the communications parties and agents of the communications service provider. The agent to assign to the communications session first can be assigned in accordance with the feedback received from the communications parties based on previous communications between the communications parties and agents of the communications service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Speeney, Ted Charles Stine
  • Patent number: 9721271
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to incorporate saturation effects into marketing mix models are disclosed. A disclosed method includes calculating adstocked gross rating points associated with an advertising campaign during segments of a period of time. The adstocked gross rating points are based on raw gross rating points corresponding to the advertising campaign. The raw gross rating points are delivered during the segments of the period of time. The example method further includes calculating an effective reach realized during the segments of the period of time for the advertising campaign. The effective reach realized is based on the adstocked gross rating points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Brixius, Ross Link
  • Patent number: 9721272
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for determining a mixture ratio for allocating portions of an advertising budget among different advertising channels (e.g., print, online, radio, television) to optimize a performance measure, such as cost-per-action. A mixture space is used to define the available advertising channels and any constraints placed on those channels, such as no more than fifty percent of the advertising budget being allocated to a particular channel, and test mixture ratios are selected according to an optimality criterion. The selected test mixture ratios are used during a testing period on live traffic. The performance measures from the test mixture ratios are used to select a preferred mixture ratio from the mixture space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Koehler, Elizabeth Van Alstine
  • Patent number: 9721273
    Abstract: A method for providing content via a computer network and computing device, which may include: storing data associated with and indicative of a plurality of presentations; receiving a request to host an audio presentation; receiving and storing data associated with the requested audio presentation; initiating and recording one or more telephone calls; and, presenting at least a portion of the stored data for selection by the computing device; wherein, selection causes the stored data indicative of the selected audio/visual or audio presentation to be provided to the computing device for playback thereby via the computer network. The method may include storing data associated with and indicative of a first plurality of presentations; storing data associated with a plurality of second presentation feeds: automatically and periodically accessing each of the feeds; and aggregating each of the presentations for delivery via the computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Uniloc Luxembourg S.A.
    Inventor: Tod C. Turner
  • Patent number: 9721274
    Abstract: The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Troy P. Williams
  • Patent number: 9721275
    Abstract: The use of a broadcast feed to enable customers to pay for order may enable merchants to increase their online visibility and sales. An order for one or more items that is initiated by a customer may be received. The order may be transmitted to a broadcast feed provider to be presented as a message post in a broadcast feed page. Subsequently, an electronic payment for the order that is initiated by the customer through a link embedded in the message post may be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Grier
  • Patent number: 9721276
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for creating the social group whose participants are involved in an online conversation. The system aggregates data associated with the online conversation and a group profile, of the social group. The system determines, based on the online conversation data and the group profile, a context of the online conversation and a goal of the social group. The system receives, based on the determined context and the goal, a first bidding from each provider, the first bidding associated with the determined context and the goal, the each provider providing one or more of: goods, services or discounts associated with the context and the goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Patent number: 9721277
    Abstract: A system and method for providing financial account messages to customers while accessing web sites is disclosed. Methods, systems and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention enable a financial account issuer to provide an application to customer's computer system over a network. The application may be configured to provide various messages associated with the customer's financial account provided by the financial account issuer while the customer browses web sites. The financial account messages may be configured to provide interactive and dynamically changing account status information based on attempted purchases of goods and/or services by the customer at merchants' web sites. The application may also be configured to provide rating information associated with web sites accessed by the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Capital One Financial Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Turner, Arthur Koeppel
  • Patent number: 9721278
    Abstract: Techniques for dynamically pricing perishable goods. The objective is to sell all items before any remaining items become worthless. The method comprises: monitoring a time parameter T corresponding to period T0 to Tn; if T<Tn, periodically updating current price Pcurrent for an item; in response client's interest, offering a temporarily fixed price Pfreeze=Pcurrent for a freeze period ?Tfreeze; updating Pcurrent in response to offering the fixed price Pfreeze; accepting a purchase order for the item at Pfreeze if purchase order received within the freeze period ?Tfreeze; rejecting the purchase order after the freeze period ?Tfreeze; updating Pcurrent in response to receiving an accepted and/or rejected order; and repeating at least some of the above acts until T equals maximum time Tn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ECONOMEMETICS AB
    Inventor: Anders Goran Ekholm
  • Patent number: 9721279
    Abstract: Determining a mobile operator for a mobile device. The mobile operator is determined using one or more of an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and a current operator name (CON) and service provider name (SPN) pair. Correlations between the IMSI and mobile operators, and between the CON/SPN pairs and mobile operators, are maintained. Correlations between unrecognized CON/SPN pairs and mobile operators are created based on a quantity of requests received from the mobile devices. In some embodiments, identifying the mobile operator enables financial transactions by the mobile device when visiting, for example, a mobile applications store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Kamran Rajabi Zargahi
  • Patent number: 9721280
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a construction payment process wherein a higher degree of functionality is provided to primary users and only a limited subset of functionality is provided to sub-tier contractors. One construction of the system is configured to receive an electronically signed document and a request for payment from the sub-tier contractor. The request for payment is presented to a first primary user who is a contractual parent of the sub-tier contractor. When approval of the request for payment is received, a payment is initiated from a project payor to the sub-tier contractor. In some embodiments, the project payor is a contractual grandparent of the sub-tier contractor and a contractual parent of the first primary user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TEXTURA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. Allin, William H. Eichhorn, Jeffrey K. Wagner, John W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9721281
    Abstract: An example computer-readable storage medium stores an information processing program, and this information processing program causes a computer of an information processing apparatus 10A to function as a close proximity communication unit 13 and an information processing unit 12. The close proximity communication unit 13 receives communication history data indicating a history of communication of application data by an information processing apparatus 10C by close proximity communication from the information processing apparatus 10C by close proximity communication. The information processing unit 12 performs predetermined information processing with the communication history data received by the close proximity communication unit 13 as a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryusuke Niitani, Masahiro Shiotani, Toyokazu Nonaka, Takehiko Hosokawa, Kouichi Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 9721282
    Abstract: Validation data, such as an image selected by a merchant, is rendered on a mobile device of a customer to provide the merchant confirmation that payment for an item submitted through the mobile device of the customer was in fact received by the merchant. The merchant may establish an account on a network-accessible computing device (e.g., in the “cloud”) that includes the validation data. The customer authorizes payment to the merchant from the mobile device using the network connectivity of the mobile device. When the payment is received by the merchant, the network-accessible computing device sends the validation data to the customer's mobile device. The merchant may be confident that he or she has in fact received an electronic payment from the customer when the validation data is presented on the mobile device. Techniques to prevent reuse and copying of the validation data are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Hitchcock, Darren E. Canavor, Harsha Ramalingam, Robert Hanson, Brad Lee Campbell
  • Patent number: 9721283
    Abstract: A user's location is determined by location information communicated by a user device, such as a smart phone. Merchants near the user location are determined and selected. Merchant payment information is transmitted to the user device so that the user can easily make a payment to the merchant through the user device. Merchant offerings may also be sent to the user device for purchase and subsequent payment, where the merchant offerings may be specifically selected for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PayPal, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Hideki Tanaka, Srikanth Nandiraju, Mehryar Mansoor
  • Patent number: 9721284
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for communicating a primary display comprising information that facilitates visual presentation of a view of a game space to a primary client device and facilitating purchases of content for use in the game through a secondary client device such as a user's smartphone. The system may include a game device that allows a user to play a video game or otherwise interact with a virtual environment using the primary client device and purchase content for use in the video game using a secondary client device while playing the video game using the primary client device. The purchased content may be integrated into the game space such that purchased content is available for use while the user is playing the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9721285
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for the facilitation of authorized in-store pickup in conjunction with online ordering. A request to process an order of an item selected by a customer and placed through a website may be received. The website may be transformed to a cart fulfillment web page including a fulfillment interface. Through the fulfillment interface, a selection of an option for in-store pickup by a third party may be received from the customer. Through the fulfillment interface, identifying information regarding the third party, pickup details associated with the in-store pickup of the item by the third party, and a preferred notification method for contacting the third party may also be received from the customer. An authorization pickup record related to the in-store pickup of the item by the third party may be generated. The authorization pickup record may be transmitted to the third party via the preferred notification method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Home Depot Product Authority, LLC
    Inventors: Mary B. Jones, Jenna Floyd, Ashley Yancey, Carly Westcott, Emily Knox, Shannon Chister, Reid Tarentino, Sastry Akella, Nathan Hawk, Brandon Knox, Christopher Nuckles, Todd Stormes, Angie Brown
  • Patent number: 9721286
    Abstract: A novel method for obtaining transaction information includes receiving a first transaction record including data indicative of one or more products purchased by a first purchaser from a first merchant, storing the data included in the first record, receiving a second transaction record including electronic data indicative of one or more products purchased by the purchaser from a second merchant, storing the data included in the second record, and providing the first purchaser access to the first transaction record and the said second transaction record. The method is performed on a handheld device which is carried by the first purchaser. A point-of-sale system is also disclosed and includes: a processing, a product interface operative to receive product data, memory operative to store a first transaction record, and a transaction record interface operative to output electronic data indicative of the first transaction record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HARRIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LP
    Inventor: David N. Harris
  • Patent number: 9721287
    Abstract: A method and system for provides a user with an ability to capture a sample of an experiential environment and deliver that sample to an interactive service to trigger one or more predetermined events. In exemplary embodiments of the invention such triggered events include the delivery of information and services to the user, the execution of tasks and instructions by the service on the user's behalf, communication events; surveillance events and other control-oriented events that are responsive to the user's wishes. In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the triggered events include transaction-oriented events, entertainment events, and events associated with enhancements to human ability or function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Shazam Investments Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Jacques Penrose Barton, Philip Georges Inghelbrecht, Dheeraj Shankar Mukherjee, Avery Li-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 9721288
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for determining credibility of a user in recommending an object. The method comprises monitoring activity relating to an object in an online network, and determining a baseline of activity for the object based on the activity monitored. In response to detecting a user interaction by a first user with the object, information relating to the user interaction is recorded. An analysis of the information recorded is performed in view of information relating to one or more other user interactions by one or more other users with the object. Based on the analysis, a credibility score for the first user is determined. The credibility score represents a degree of confidence in reliability of the first user to recommend the object. Presentation of user recommendations for objects is controlled based on credibility scores to decrease impact of astroturfing, crowdturfing and spamming on the presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu