Referral Award System Patents (Class 705/14.16)
  • Patent number: 11961106
    Abstract: An end-user computing device may utilize an imaging device to capture input from an electronic tag of a physical asset. The end-user computing device may generate supplemental digital data associated with the input. The end-user computing device may transmit the input and the supplemental digital data to an authentication and digital assets server. The authentication and digital assets server may authenticate the physical asset and transmit the authentication results to the end-user computing device, which may display the authentication results. If the authentication of the physical asset is successful, the authentication and digital assets server may select one or more digital assets and transmit the one or more digital assets to the end-user computing device. The end-user computing device may display the one or more digital assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron G. Faris, Jett House, Aaron L. Uhrmacher, Michael B. Hailey
  • Patent number: 11935142
    Abstract: Technologies are provided for correlating experimental biological datasets. The disclosed technologies may be used for data dependent socialization for life scientists and organizations. Data dependent socialization may be based on statistical correlations between experimental life science data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Within3, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Smith, Lev Becker
  • Patent number: 11928671
    Abstract: An authentication and encryption computer system and method are disclosed. An encrypted channel is established with a first device. Transaction information is received over the encrypted channel, including an instrument identifier, wherein the instrument identifier is tokenized, a first amount for item acquisition by a first person, a second amount specified by the first person, and identification information of a second person. An identity of a user of a second device is authenticated to determine that the user is the second person and in response to such authentication, a user interface is provided, including the second amount and an identification of one or more entities is displayed. An instruction is received to distribute at least a portion of the second amount to specified entities. A secure communication is established via remote systems and a portion of the second amount is distributed among respective destinations associated with the specified entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ferry Pay Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Krakower, Efren Ramirez
  • Patent number: 11915286
    Abstract: When a user accesses content describing an item able to be purchased using a first website, and the user subsequently purchases the item using a second website within a threshold length of time of the access to the content, the purchase may be inferred to have been induced by the content, even though the content would normally direct the user to the first website. To correlate purchases across different websites, data identifying the user's device or a user account and data identifying the item is acquired when the content is accessed by the user. Subsequently, additional data is acquired when the item is purchased. If the additional data corresponds to the previous data, this may be used to determine that the same user has purchased the same item described by the content that was accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Venkatraman Prabhu, Dave Jonathan Lefkow, Anthony Quigley, Saurav Ray
  • Patent number: 11888950
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing cloud-based services securely to on-premises networks or other infrastructure. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for enriching first-party data (e.g., data collected directly by an on-premises server) stored within on-premises networks by enabling the on-premises networks to retrieve and process third-party data stored on cloud-based networks. As a technical benefit, cloud-based services can be performed on the first-party data within the on-premises networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Niraj Deo, Saurabh Pandey, Johanna Christina Brugman
  • Patent number: 11830020
    Abstract: Systems and methods for subscription-based product referrals are provided. In example embodiments, a user request to refer a subscription is received. A user selection of a social network connection having a social network relationship with the user on a social network service is received. A referral request is transmitted to a device of the social network connection. Acceptance of the referral request is determined. Based on determining acceptance of the referral request, a credit is provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ASSURANT, INC.
    Inventor: Keith Meier
  • Patent number: 11810154
    Abstract: An information communication system transmits an advertisement to a second terminal device used by a second user based on transmission of a message from a first terminal device used by a first user to the second terminal device. The information communication system executes processing of giving a reward to the first user based on recognition that the second user takes an action corresponding to a successful result of the advertisement after the second user selects the advertisement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Ishii, Takehito Nohara, Sungsu Kim, Fuminori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11797662
    Abstract: Some examples described herein relate to computer interfaces and authentication protocols for securely linking and transferring content between online accounts. In one example, a system can provide a graphical user interface (GUI) with multiple interactive interface pages, through which a user can selectively transfer content from a first online account to a second online account. For example, the user can select to transfer points from the first online account to the second online account. The system can then transfer of the selected content from the first online account to the second online account. To perform this transfer, the system can employ multiple layers of authentication and other security mechanisms. For example, the system can employ two or more layers of authentication and a unique external identifier to perform the transfer. Following the transfer, the GUI can be updated to reflect the results of the transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Ita Eddie Wang, Christopher Estes, Ehudes Fernan Garcia Gil, Krishna Sumanth Chagarlamudi, Hou Lam, Fernando Augusto Alvarez Medina, Clayton Timothy Brandt
  • Patent number: 11741435
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and storage media for the online scheduling of sessions or appointments from within a networking platform are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive an image or video including a tag identifying a provider or a service of a provider; cause display of the image/video in a feed, story, or reel associated with a user of the networking platform; receive a selection of the tag; in response to the tag selection, cause display of information associated with the provider, the information including a selectable session request indicator; receive a request to engage in a session(s) with the provider (via user selection of the session request indicator); receive detail(s) associated with the engagement request; receive an indication that the request is complete; and send, via a networking-platform-specific communication application, a communication to the user informing the user of request approval or rejection, or indicating the request is pending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Guo, Zhi Min Seetoh, Nathaniel Owen Hajian, Zachary Moore, Yeuko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11694180
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for registering a mobile device for use in a mobile commerce system. According to one embodiment, a method of registering a mobile device for use in a mobile commerce system can comprise receiving at a service provider system a registration request from a user of the mobile device. A determination can be made with the service provider system whether to allow registration of the mobile device. In response to determining to allow registration of the mobile device, the registration request can be sent from the service provider system to an acquirer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FIRST DATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven E. Arthur, Christopher L. Toomer, Sarah Owen, Theodore VanDeburg
  • Patent number: 11687962
    Abstract: An online incentive network is optimized. Online incentive network data is accessed including data regarding sharing between users of the network from at least one database. Inputted parameters and network data are applied to one or more models for incentivized deal sharing to determine profitability of an incentivized sharing deal to offer to plurality of users via an online network for one or more products or services provided by a merchant. The incentivized sharing deal comprises a deal in which a user purchases a particular deal, and then when the user shares the particular deal with a threshold number of other users who also purchase the deal, the user receives an incentive. The parameters include a price of the deal; a proportion of the deal kept by the merchant or the online incentive network, and the number of incentivized users. An interface offers the incentivized sharing deal to users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: LIVINGSOCIAL, INC.
    Inventors: Elena Zheleva, Joseph John Pfeiffer, III
  • Patent number: 11637911
    Abstract: A method for prefetching and caching data onto a device is disclosed. An association of a user with a travel to a destination location is determined. Data network availability in at least a portion of a likely future travel path from a current location of the user to the destination location is analyzed. Based on the analysis of the data network availability, a segment of the likely future travel path where data network is likely unreliable is identified. Data likely desired by the user when the user travels in the identified segment is predicted. A device of the user is caused to obtain and cache the predicted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Feng
  • Patent number: 11500892
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method of tracking favors between a plurality of parties. The method includes: receiving a submission regarding a favor performed by one or more first parties for one or more second parties; associating the favor with the one or more first parties and the one or more second parties in a database; and providing a user interface programmed to receive instructions from a plurality of users to take one or more or more actions selected from the group consisting of: searching for connections that have granted a particular type of favor in the past, searching for connections that have granted a specified quantity of a particular type of favor in the past, and displaying net flows of favors between a first organization having a plurality of parties and a second organization having a plurality of parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Treble LLC
    Inventors: Eric G. Orlinsky, Scott Schelle, Brian Razzaque, David Gertler
  • Patent number: 11501332
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an advertisement information sharing system which allows anyone to easily carry out a manuscript publication of an article with an advertisement added thereto and by presenting such an advertisement as to draw attention of readers of the article, makes it possible to accelerate the manuscript publication of the advertisement article by the contributor and the browsing and utilization of the advertisement by the readers. The advertisement information sharing system is provided with a contributor terminal for outputting an article with an advertisement added thereto, a user terminal for outputting user information and an advertisement information sharing server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Wides Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nishio, Masaaki Kamo, Kazuyuki Adachi, Takeshi Sudo, Norikazu Nakano
  • Patent number: 11429996
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for improving likelihood of user to purchase a product or service. Interactions of a person, not necessarily the user, are monitored related to the product or service, along with actions by a business related to the person and the product or service. A trained Generative Adversarial Network model is applied to the monitored interactions to form recommend actions that the business should take to achieve ameliorative actions by the user. A reward feedback iterative adjustment of the GAN model is used to facilitate purchase of the product or service by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sourav Mazumder, Joseph N. Kozhaya, Shikhar Kwatra
  • Patent number: 11430010
    Abstract: Systems and methods for indirect advertising are disclosed. A real target is identified. Locations visited by the real target are identified. Secondary targets known to visit at least one of the identified locations are identified. A message designed to influence the real target is pushed to the secondary targets such that the real target may be influenced through word-of-mouth interaction with the secondary targets and led to believe that a larger phenomenon is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Rankin Labs, LLC
    Inventor: John Rankin
  • Patent number: 11386443
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide methods, systems, apparatuses and computer program products for implementing a dynamic experimentation service. An example of a method for implementing a dynamic experimentation service includes receiving a set of experiment configuration parameters, determining, by a processor and based on the experiment configuration parameters, an experiment model, the experiment model comprising electronic data indicating an audience selected from a plurality of consumers and a plurality of levels for controlling a communication service in operation to generate an electronic marketing communication for transmission to at least one of the plurality of consumers, receiving a request, from the communication service, the request comprising a communication identifier, determining, based on the communication identifier, at least one of the plurality of levels, and causing the electronic marketing communication to be generated as a treatment comprising the at least one of the plurality of levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: James Violette, Anthony Joseph, Pip Courbois, Christopher Powers
  • Patent number: 11373203
    Abstract: A method of generating a fixed-price variable-offer multi-tier thread generator may include receiving, a by a computer processor(s), at least a fixed price, a thread expiration criteria and specification for at least two offerings for the fixed price. Each of the at least two offerings correspond to one of at least two tiers of offerings, where the fixed price entitles a first member and any subsequent members on a thread to redeem a qualified offer associated with a qualified tier, in exchange for paying the fixed price, upon the occurrence of at least one thread expiration criteria. The at least one product or service offerings the thread qualifies for, upon the occurrence of the at least one thread expiration criteria, may be dependent upon a total number of members, including the first member who starts a thread from the thread generator and any subsequent members who join the thread and who have agreed to pay the fixed price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: RECOVERY SCIENCE LLC
    Inventors: Shalin Shah, Kusum Raksiklal Shah, Jyotsana Nayan Shah
  • Patent number: 11334914
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: receiving, by one or more processor, floor area data, zone data, trigger interaction data, and notification data associated with the products offered for sale in the different zones. The method can include receiving, by the one or more processor, triggering event data regarding a product or products in response to user interaction with a mobile device in the venue and location data of the mobile device in the venue at the time of the triggering event data, automatically determining whether the received triggering event data and the received location data match an associated zone data and trigger interaction data, and automatically sending an associated notification to the mobile device regarding purchase of a product or products in the venue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Greenberger, Zachary Greenberger, Matthew J. Margolis, Ciaran Hannigan
  • Patent number: 11328332
    Abstract: A method for an internet-accessible content provider computer server that, in response to receiving request information from a referred user device for access to specific digital content subject to a fee, the server: (a) selects a particular payment system based on referrer information included in request information transmitted, (b) transmits to the selected payment system information indicative of the requested specific digital content and a request for approval of the user device for the corresponding fee for the digital content, (c) facilitating communication between the selected payment system and the user device, (d) based on receiving from the selected payment system an approval signal, transmitting the requested specific digital content to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: LaterPay AG
    Inventors: Cosmin-Gabriel Ene, Martin Hans
  • Patent number: 11321413
    Abstract: Validating the display of a dynamic email advertisement includes receiving, by an advertisement server (‘ad server’) from an email client, a request for an advertisement (‘ad’) and one or more tracking requests; pausing, by the ad server, all responses to the tracking requests; selecting, by the ad server from a database, an ad bundle; queuing, by the ad server the tracking requests; assigning, by the ad server a redirect from the ad bundle to each tracking request; unpausing, by the ad server, responses to the tracking requests; sending, by the ad server to the email client, a response with the selected ad; and for each tracking request assigned a redirect, sending, by the ad server to the email client, a response including the assigned redirect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: INTERACTIVE OFFERS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Lombas, Wesley Desouza, Rafael Pereira
  • Patent number: 11321670
    Abstract: A location-based system that is able to match job seekers with employers based on the geographic location detected by the job seeker's mobile phone and the location of the work in the job posting. This system may be used by employers to fill an urgent need, such as an upcoming event or shift occurring in days or hours. In some embodiments, the system automatically selects job seekers for employers based on a rating system for job seekers; the rating system may be based on surveys performed by employers regarding the job seeker's performance in previous job postings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CATCH A SHIFT, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Cirrincione, Alfredo Anaya
  • Patent number: 11321584
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a memory, and processing circuitry coupled to the memory. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire gradation processing target image data, and perform gradation processing on the gradation processing target image data based on a learned model learned in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: PREFERRED NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventor: Taizan Yonetsuji
  • Patent number: 11315150
    Abstract: A system, method, device, and platform for generating targeted advertisements. Transaction information for a user is received. The transaction information associated with the user is verified. The information is reconciled with advertising data associated with the transaction information. Targeted advertisements are created based on the available advertising data. The targeted advertisements are communicated to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Data Vault Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Blair Blaikie, III, Nathaniel T. Bradley, Joshua S. Paugh
  • Patent number: 11301628
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus that monitor any manifestation of an idea, such as typed, written, or verbal message or document creation (e.g., while a user types an email or instant message, or makes a phone call) and analyze the manifestation in real-time to extract a sentiment and based on this sentiment, determine if the idea(s) manifested in the message, document, or other medium poses a risk of violating compliance, policy, or law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: FairWords, Inc.
    Inventors: Anish Parikh, Evan M. Caron, Vadim Polosatov, Emily Priscilla Wing
  • Patent number: 11232503
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for blockchain-based product configuration and referral. An originator may interact with a product configuration service to generate a product combination, which may include a particular combination and arrangement of physical or virtual items. A blockchain data object may be generated that is unique to the product configuration. The blockchain data object may be inserted into a blockchain using a blockchain network service such that, when the product configuration is subsequently accessed or consumed by another user account, a predetermined task is performed in association with a user account of the originator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel del Hoyo Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11222310
    Abstract: Methods and systems receive machine-readable input data describing a job listing or employment opportunity. The system scans the input data and software algorithms process it to predict specific information required by a particular html schema. To predict the information required by the schema, in one aspect, the system applies machine learning tools, for example, prediction models, which may be generated from training data selected from large job listing data collections, and specifically adapted and tuned for each field of interest, for example, job description, job location, and salary. This information is used to generate structured data, for example, html code, consistent with the schema for automatic insertion into a web page to comply with the schema and make the listing widely available to automated search processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: JOBIAK LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Janapareddy, Kenneth B. Baldwin, Jim Shur, Elie Raad
  • Patent number: 11182826
    Abstract: Online advertisers may demand compliance with certain standards for the content of emails and other digital content with which its advertisements may be associated. Emails may contain control objects directing users to a web page showing content related to oil change coupons. However, in some systems, methods, and processes, a small variable proportion of users may instead be directed to a different sequence of pages to conduct a compliance check on the contents of the email received by the user. The compliance check sequence of pages may offer the user an incentive to forward the email to a specified email address for subsequent compliance review. Delivery of an incentive may be conditioned on successful receipt of the forwarded email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: OpenMail LLC
    Inventors: John Andrew Fries, Erik Ahern Price, Sanjeev M. Rao
  • Patent number: 11170420
    Abstract: A system and method may be provided for more efficient onboarding of entities to a marketplace. An existing entity in the marketplace may agree to become an agent of the owner of the marketplace. A request may be received from a new entity wishing to join the marketplace. The system and method may assign the existing entity to onboard the new entity. A digital image may be received of the existing entity and new entity and optional documentation of the new entity's credentials. The system may digitally link the first seller and second seller so that the first seller may receive a portion of the transaction values collected by the second seller going forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Chaldal, Inc.
    Inventors: Waseem Alim, Tejas Viswanath, Zia Ashraf
  • Patent number: 11164202
    Abstract: An automobile dealer referral and rewards service allows users to recommend automobile dealers to one another through referral links. If the referral ends up buying an automobile from the dealer, the referring user receives a monetary reward through the system, which is paid for by the dealer who received the referral and made the purchase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: ExaltAuto Inc., LLC
    Inventors: Dharmesh Ratilal Patel, Hardik Ratilal Patel
  • Patent number: 11153397
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for facilitating and improving push messaging provided to users. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, from a user device, a request to subscribe to a push messaging service, selecting a given phone number that is uniquely associated with the user based on the received request, transmitting, to a user device, a first message that presents visual information at the user device and includes the given phone number, receiving, by the one or more servers, a second message addressed to the given phone number, selecting an additional message that presents additional visual information at the user device based, at least in part, on the message received from the user device and one or more of a geolocation of the mobile device or a time of day, and transmitting the additional message to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Vibhor Nanavati, Anshul Kothari, Amit Agarwal, Gaurav Ravindra Bhaya, Surojit Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 11144942
    Abstract: Embodiments include information processing methods, a server, a terminal, and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums. One information processing method includes receiving a request for electronic information. The request for the electronic information is sent by a first user logged into a first terminal. The method includes recommending and sharing at least one piece of recommended information, which corresponds to the electronic information, to at least one second user according to a recommendation and/or sharing rule associated with the electronic information. The at least one second user is associated with the first user. The method further includes, when the at least one second user logs into a second terminal and performs a function based on the at least one piece of recommended information, sending at least one piece of content information to a database accessible by the first user according to the at least one piece of recommended information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
    Inventors: Weifeng Zhu, Zhenyu Xu, Wa Ye, Jing Zang, Pingjin Xie, Zheng Wang, Jie Lin, Hongyang Wang
  • Patent number: 11113719
    Abstract: An apparatus, for example a primary device, implements a method that includes receiving promoted content for display at the primary device; predicting a user's behavior with respect to the promoted content by estimating the user's context and preferences, using a neural network; and in response to the prediction of the user's behavior, automatically demoting the promoted content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Komminist Weldemariam, Sushain Pandit, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Patent number: 11107471
    Abstract: A dialog processing server is configured by including a relay unit which communicates with each of a first information processing terminal and a second information processing terminal, each serving as a portable or vehicle-mounted terminal and including an input/output interface unit with an artificial intelligence provided outside, and a determination unit which determines whether or not a predetermined dialog condition is established, in which between the artificial intelligence with which the first terminal communicates and the artificial intelligence with which the second terminal communicates, dialog contents respectively generated by the artificial intelligences can be transmitted and received when the dialog condition is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chikashi Takiguchi, Manabu Ichikawa, Takao Yamamoto, Satoshi Honma, Tatsuya Ryuzaki, Susumu Saito, Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 11108724
    Abstract: An information source, such as an advertiser or product vendor, transfers information to contacts for which the information source has no contact data. The information source stores information in an information database which communicates the information to a referrer which has the desired contact data. The referrer uses a communication device to transfer the information to one or more contacts using contact data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Groupon, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Kramer, Paul C. Ning
  • Patent number: 11080737
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for generating affiliate links that may be shared between users of computing devices. A method of the invention may include the steps of receiving from a server system a user identifier of a client system (e.g. smartphone with client application) and persistently storing the client identifier at the client system. Information identifying an item such as a product or retailer may be displayed as well as an indication of a single action to be performed (e.g. “share” button) to generate an affiliate link from the product information. In response to the indicated single action being performed, the client system automatically sends relevant item information and user information to the server system which creates an affiliate link by referring to a database of affiliate information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Rajat Kalra, Chung Ming Tse
  • Patent number: 10997629
    Abstract: A system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for referring contacts to receive text message alerts. An accounts module receives first user data including an indicator that a first user requested to subscribe to receive text messages alerts. The account module adds, based at least on the received first user data, a first user account to a database of subscribers. A message generator module generates, using the processor in response to receiving the first user data, a first text message corresponding to an offer to subscribe to receive text message alerts. A communication module transmits to the first user the first text message corresponding to the offer to subscribe to receive text message alerts. The transmitted first text message can be forwarded to a second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: George Vincent Friborg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10970730
    Abstract: An electronic distributed computing system connecting both merchant and customer devices implements a referral marketing program that rewards customers for recruiting other customers to purchase products from the merchant and join the referral marketing program. A customer uses an application to purchase a product or service and is invited to join the referral marketing program. The customer is optionally invited to select an incentive level and a target number of recruits. After paying a referral program fee that varies based on the cost of the customer's purchase, the incentive level, and the recruiting target, the customer obtains the targeted number of electronic referral keys. The customer provides these referral keys to recruited customers in exchange for a predetermined resale program fee. The recruited customer can redeem the referral key to join the referral marketing program and obtain their own referral keys, after making a purchase from the merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Pritam Suru
  • Patent number: 10943244
    Abstract: A method of generating a fixed-price variable-offer multi-tier thread generator may include receiving, a by a computer processor(s), at least a fixed price, a thread expiration criteria and specification for at least two offerings for the fixed price. Each of the at least two offerings correspond to one of at least two tiers of offerings, where the fixed price entitles a first member and any subsequent members on a thread to redeem a qualified offer associated with a qualified tier, in exchange for paying the fixed price, upon the occurrence of at least one thread expiration criteria. The at least one product or service offerings the thread qualifies for, upon the occurrence of the at least one thread expiration criteria, may be dependent upon a total number of members, including the first member who starts a thread from the thread generator and any subsequent members who join the thread and who have agreed to pay the fixed price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: RECOVERY SCIENCE LC
    Inventors: Shalin Shah, Kusum Raksiklal Shah, Jyotsana Nayan Shah
  • Patent number: 10943212
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to combine best practices with a new discovery method, incentive structure and tracking system for better results in the referral process, particularly in the domain of employment. Crowdsourcing using a tiered peer-to-peer referral incentive system that encourages higher quality inbound leads combined with data analytics and machine learning techniques of identifying high quality referrers and candidates improve success rates, and leveraging online and offline Social and Professional networks creates a frictionless user experience. Tracking technologies and methods inspired by the online advertising industry across a variety of platforms (desktop/handheld/wearable devices) enable improved crowdsourcing and reward strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Vinayak Ranade
  • Patent number: 10937045
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The method computer program products, and systems can include, for instance: examining, by machine logic, interactions data specifying attributes of interactions with posted social media promotional content promoting a product, wherein the product is subject to an initiated purchase transaction, and wherein the interactions include interactions by a plurality of users; attributing, by machine logic, referral credit for the purchase transaction to users of the plurality of users based on the examining; and providing one or more output based on the attributing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lisa Seacat Deluca, Jeremy A. Greenberger, Zachary Greenberger
  • Patent number: 10909563
    Abstract: Introduced is a technology for facilitating a referral between a referrer and a referee, including the generation of the referral and the tracking of the referral redemption by the referee. The technology enables a customer to send a referral about a merchant to a friend by simply providing contact information associated with that friend (e.g., email address, telephone number, etc.), and further enables the friend to redeem a promotional offer included in the referral upon a use of the friend's payment card at the merchant's point-of-sale (POS) system, without having to provide any further information. In some instances, a transfer of a referral reward (e.g., points, discount, payment, etc.) is also transferred to the referrer in response to the redemption by the referee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Aaron, Keisuke Omi, Merrill Lutsky, Hillary Prather, Nathan McCauley
  • Patent number: 10909598
    Abstract: A system and method allows one or more users to purchase an offering of goods or services using at least three computer systems, by one user making a proposal for the two to jointly consume the offering, and the other user accepting the proposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Zoosk, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander F. Mehr, Shayan G. Zadeh, Doug H. Wehmeier, Charles E. Gotlieb
  • Patent number: 10897692
    Abstract: A service processing method includes: presenting predefined services on a service usage interface of a first application; obtaining, from a backend server of the third-party service provider, notification information that a first service presented on the service usage interface has been used, updating the predefined services on the service usage interface, and presenting an information prompt identifier corresponding to the first service; and detecting that the information prompt identifier corresponding to the first service is triggered, and in response to detecting that the information prompt identifier corresponding to the first service is triggered, presenting the notification information that the first service has been used and an information prompt identifier of a second service associated with the first service, the information prompt identifier of the second service being capable of prompting a user to add the second service to the service usage interface of the first application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wa Ye, Zhouwei Zhu, Yadi Xiao, Zeqi Lian, Zhiping Su, Mengsha Zhou, Jiongchao Lin, Zhenyu Xu
  • Patent number: 10878451
    Abstract: Recommendation systems and techniques are described that employ change point detection to generate recommendations for digital content. In one example, a change point detection technique is employed by a recommendation system to identify when a change point has occurred at a respective time step of a series of time steps. Detection of this change point may then be used by the recommendation system to reset the statistical model to address this change as well as generate a subsequent recommendation configured for exploration of reward distributions of the items of digital marketing content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Adobe Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Cao, Zheng Wen, Branislav Kveton
  • Patent number: 10878459
    Abstract: A change management system for facilitating a marketing partner's transition from a reimbursement co-op model to a co-pay co-op model is disclosed. In particular, the system may incorporate an existing reimbursement co-op process utilized by a brand into a software platform. The reimbursement co-op process may enable a marketing partner to request pre-approval for a marketing activity or submit a claim for reimbursement for marketing activities performed for the brand. The system may also incorporate a co-pay co-op process into the software platform that includes pre-approved and pre-loaded marketing campaigns and assets for the brand. The marketing partner may be given the option to participate in the reimbursement co-op process or the co-pay co-op process to obtain reimbursements for performing marketing activities for the brand. The system may facilitate selection of the co-pay co-op process by providing greater incentives for selecting the co-pay co-op process versus the reimbursement co-op process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SproutLoud Media Networks, LLC
    Inventor: Jared Shusterman
  • Patent number: 10867323
    Abstract: Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, a social media merchandising and advertising platform may be provided. The platform may enable any third party website, page, or entity referred to herein as an “advertiser” to post interactive content on a publisher's website. The interactive content may comprise, for example, a customizable badge. The platform may enable the advertiser to create, customize, and deploy the badge for display and access on the publisher's specified domain. Moreover, the platform may enable the advertiser to provide the publisher with various specifications and elements to be integrated into a customized badge and, in turn, provide the customized badge to a publisher. Either the publisher or advertiser, individually or collectively, may then post the advertiser's badge to a website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventors: Yassine Sbiti, Selah Omer
  • Patent number: 10867345
    Abstract: A system and process within a mobile device and/or social media application of coordinating, scheduling and booking people to connect and have live face to face streaming meet-and-greets through the application. A network connected server maintains a database and information to Facilitate the buying and selling of direct air time between specific users within the application. Wherein Users can go on and offer time available for a live meet-and-greet and other users can then go on and book and schedule time from the said time available. The application can also be used to schedule and pay for the meet-and-greet time, facilitating live “meet-and-greets” via the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Mary Anne Fletcher
  • Patent number: 10798458
    Abstract: A user terminal and a server for supporting a real-time broadcast are disclosed. The user terminal may obtain, through a real-time broadcast platform, a free first sponsorship item for which a preset restrictive condition is set, and support, through the real-time broadcast platform, a streamer of the real-time broadcast using the first sponsorship item under the restrictive condition. In response to the supporting, a reward which is the same as a reward for a charged second sponsorship item may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: KAKAO CORP.
    Inventors: Jumyoung Park, Dong Ho Bae, Ju Sup Lee, Ki Hyun Kang, Mija Yoon, Geunyoung Choi, Yelim Jeong
  • Patent number: 10769657
    Abstract: A technique for determining the effectiveness of an offer includes analyzing views, clicks, acceptances and satisfactions of the offer. Transaction data is retrieved to determine whether criteria of the offer has been satisfied. As a result, a total cost per transaction may be determined for an advertisement campaign that incorporates the offer. Further, detailed queries may be issued to identify areas in which the offer needs improvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: CARDSPRING, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Winner, Geraud Boyer, Amit Kumar, Eckart Walther