Based On User Location Patents (Class 705/14.58)
  • Publication number: 20140100959
    Abstract: Location-based directed advertisement systems, according to particular embodiments, direct merchant-created advertisements to users when those advertisements meet the user's shopping preferences. The user's shopping preferences may include, for example, preferences to receive advertisements for particular items or classes of items, preferences to receive advertisements from particular stores or types of stores, and preferences to receive advertisements for items that are geographically close to the user's location. In particular embodiments, merchants can limit the recipients of the merchant's created advertisements to particular groups of users such as users of a certain age, gender, or occupation. In various embodiments, merchants can view consumer demand data in order to tailor offers to maximize profits, potential unit sales, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Vishrut Patel, Derek Beveridge, Thomas Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 8694376
    Abstract: This description provides tools and techniques for dynamically and predictively updating mobile devices as mobile users pass through projected locations. These tools may provide methods that include defining thresholds applicable to at least portions of travel itineraries on which mobile users are traveling. The methods may also identify advertisements to send to mobile devices associated with the mobile users, upon meeting the threshold. The methods may also send the selected advertisements, as associated with corresponding advertisers, to the mobile devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael L. Bishop
  • Patent number: 8694667
    Abstract: A filtering method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor an audio/video data file and filtering data. The computer processor analyzes the filtering data with respect to the audio/video data file and retrieves specified audio/video data portions comprising data objects within frames of the audio/video data file. The computer processor removes gaps existing in the audio/video data file and receives tags comprising instructions for presenting video data of the audio/video data file, audio data of the audio/video data file, and the specified audio/video data portions. The computer processor stores the video data in a first layer of a multimedia file, the audio data in a second layer of the multimedia file, and the specified audio/video data portions in additional layers of the multimedia file. Each of the first layer, the second layer, and the additional layers comprises a tag layer comprising the tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Publication number: 20140095302
    Abstract: The present application discloses devices, methods and systems that target a user with commercial offers having geographic and/or time-based qualities. The invention can include an aggregation system that presents the user with a map showing aggregated data for a plurality of commercial offers within a predetermined geographic area. The commercial offers can be presented to users in a staggered time-based manner to negate or minimize overwhelming a vendor with a large but temporary increase in business due to a plurality of users utilizing commercial offers. The commercial offer can also diminish over time to better determine the ability of the commercial offer system to acquire repeat business for the vendor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Dante Monteverde
  • Publication number: 20140095313
    Abstract: Applicant has created methods, systems, and computer readable media for securely collecting, safeguarding, and disseminating electronically stored information to facilitate an account owner's management of her personal, private, business, and legal documents. The method for safeguarding can include a double authentication process that only grants exclusive access to an account owner's encrypted information through the use of a uniquely generated security key. The method for collecting information can include a real-time encryption process to permit an account holder to securely upload and store electronic media in category-based compartmentalized locations. Further, the method can include a process for generating category-based advertisements through an integrated marketing platform with geo-fencing capabilities to facilitate the account owner's selection of a variety of services related to the stored information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Roberto M. CASSO
  • Publication number: 20140095282
    Abstract: A method for advertising and sales comprising: a first electronic device which is carried by an ad agent, wherein said first electronic device contains a list of ad products used by said ad agent and wherein when first electronic device inquired by a second electronic device which is carried by a potential buyer that is located within proximity to said ad agent, first electronic device provides information about said ad products to said second electronic device. The method further comprises servers which receive and store information on the inquiries performed to between said first and second electronic devices and enables on-line purchasing of the ad products. Ad products are typically consumer products including shoes, clothes, bags, apparel, watches, glasses, luggage cases, accessories, mp3 players, cellular phones, tablets and laptops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Liron Slonimsky
  • Publication number: 20140095314
    Abstract: A system and method allows anyone to advertise using the language and attributes of a standard time clock. The present invention allows anyone to visit a website, purchase a fixed length of time (typically from 15 seconds to 6 minutes) to represent duration of one period of display of an advertisement, and specify frequency of periods of display of the advertisement within allowed parameters. The system and method maintains freshness of advertisements by limiting one particular advertisement to be displayed no more than once per period. The date or dates of display may also be specified. The pricing structure of the present invention charges a fixed price based on the specified duration of the advertisement. The limitations also level the playing field preventing large entities from monopolizing the entire duration for advertisements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Michael-Charles Nahounou
  • Publication number: 20140095310
    Abstract: A method for advertising and sales comprising: a first electronic device which is carried by an ad agent, wherein said first electronic device contains a list of ad products used by said ad agent and wherein when first electronic device inquired by a second electronic device which is carried by a potential buyer that is located within proximity to said ad agent, first electronic device provides information about said ad products to said second electronic device. The method further comprises servers which receive and store information on the inquiries performed between said first and second electronic devices and enables on-line purchasing of the ad products. Ad products are typically consumer products including shoes, clothes, bags, apparel, watches, glasses, luggage cases, accessories, mp3 players, cellular phones, tablets and laptops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Awear Solutions Ltd
    Inventors: Liron Slonimsky, Micha Breakstone
  • Publication number: 20140095311
    Abstract: A process for promoting sales of a food item. The process may include receiving an order for an ordered food item to be delivered to a first location and sending a vehicle with the ordered food item towards the first location. The process may include sending one or more secondary food items along with the vehicle, preparing a list of the one or more secondary food items, preparing a list of one or more customers, and broadcasting a first message including the list of secondary food items to one or more customers on the list of one or more customers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Milner "Chip" Bulloch, JR.
  • Patent number: 8688509
    Abstract: A parking locator system providing variably priced parking includes one or more parking sensors and one or more parking kiosks. The parking sensors may generate parking information identifying one or more occupied parking spaces and one or more unoccupied parking spaces within a vicinity. Promotion information including one or more discounts to parking fees may be received at the parking kiosks. The parking kiosks may display the discounted parking fees and receive payment of the same. The discounts to parking fees may expire at particular times. The size of the discounts may be set based on traffic congestion, which may be determined based on the number of occupied parking spaces within the vicinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Societe Stationnement Urbain Developpements et Etudes (SUDE SAS)
    Inventors: Rick Rowe, Jean-Louis Fiorucci
  • Patent number: 8688147
    Abstract: A location based wireless consumer interactive system is disclosed. The system includes a first gateway device stationed at a first location which includes a first antenna configured to generate a first wireless zone covering a preassigned area proximal to the first location. The first gateway device includes a first network interface coupled to the first antenna which is configured to communicate with a client device that is connected to the first wireless zone. The first gateway device includes a first memory configured to store a first content profile received from a server device via the first network interface, wherein the first memory stores executable programming instructions to process preloaded consumer content of the first content profile. The first gateway device includes a first processor configured to generate a first interactive content site containing the consumer content on the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: SweetSpot-WIFI
    Inventors: Nhan Nguyen, Shoaib Mian, Michael S. Smith, Ryan Ross, Steve Zelinger
  • Publication number: 20140089087
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing notifications and other communications to a customer based on the customer's proximity to a checkout register at a store. A mobile electronic device with mobile self checkout software thereon may record and analyze ambient noise to determine when a customer is in a checkout line as well as to track the customer's progress through the checkout line. The mobile self checkout software may present information to the customer according to the customer's position in the checkout line. The type and nature of the information presented to the customer may be changed according to the customer's distance from the checkout terminal as well as how quickly the customer is approaching the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Argue, Anthony Emile Marcer
  • Publication number: 20140089094
    Abstract: The disclosed technology provides systems and methods for delivering a media program and purchase opportunities related to the media program to user equipment. A media program and its related merchandise information can be located at a distribution facility. The distribution facility can tailor the purchase opportunities it provides to the user equipment based on the user equipment's equipment category. When user equipment receives purchase opportunities, the user equipment can select the opportunities based on which types of merchandise are supported by the user equipment. The user equipment and/or a distribution facility may be able to determine the location of the user equipment. When the distribution facility provides merchandise information for physical merchandise to the user equipment, the merchandise information can be selected to include physical merchandise that are available for purchase at stores that are, for example, near the location of the user equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventor: Doug Yates
  • Publication number: 20140089092
    Abstract: Various implementations relate to a system that provides a collection of deals to a mobile application on a client device. The mobile application then filters the deals based on relevance using a user profile within the client device, and displays the deals to a user. The display of the deals may be governed by the relevance of the respective deals as determined by matching of the deals with the user profile within the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: LIVINGSOCIAL, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Kilmer, Douglas March
  • Publication number: 20140089091
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for delivering targeted messages to users in conjunction with data about a given user's planned activities. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: James McBride Kramer, Josh Epstein Kaufman, Jason MIchael Rosenberg, Bryan Barnett Mason
  • Publication number: 20140089093
    Abstract: A contextual communication management system/method that coordinates the dissemination of information to/from a mobile communication device (MCD) and the associated mobile communication user (MCU) is disclosed. The system/method allows the state context of a given MCD and its MCU to be used to direct communications with the MCD based on a wide variety of state parameters including but not limited to current geospatial location, geospatial path, path chronology, third party geo-temporal leaseholds, etc. In some preferred embodiments this contextual communication permits targeted advertising to be “pushed” to a MCD in response to a function of the real-time geospatial location and current/past known states of the MCU. A Leasehold Management Coordinator (LMC) permits targeted bi-directional third-party interactions with the MCD based on advertising “leases” of virtual MCD geo-space/time and associated MCU state/context pools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Carl Christopher Tierney
  • Patent number: 8682350
    Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of location aware mobile communication devices over a wireless network. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more of the mobile communication devices. An advertising platform manager provides tools for an advertiser to create and transmit relevant ad messages to a user based on specific location, time, and profile data of the user. The ad messages can be provided in the form of a text advertising message, coupon and/or graphic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Loopt LLC
    Inventors: Samuel H. Altman, Nicholas T. Sivo, Evan D. Tana, Brian R. Knapp
  • Patent number: 8682727
    Abstract: A travel support server (5) distributes a first e-mail to a user terminal device (2-k). The first e-mail has a link to the URL in which transfer function to a web page of a tourism resource corresponding to the user position in a travel destination and user information are embedded. An advertisement server (6) distributes a second e-mail to the user terminal device (2-k). The second e-mail has advertisement information which is provided to the user identified by selecting the link in the first e-mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rakuten, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kamiyama, Masahiro Morita
  • Patent number: 8682725
    Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of identifying a target region and an exclusion region of the target region, where the target region encompasses the exclusion region. A target user is identified within the target region and not within the exclusion region encompassed by the target region. A target advertisement is selected for the target user based on the target user being within the target region and not within the exclusion region encompassed by the target region. The target advertisement is sent to the target user. An exclusion user is identified within the exclusion region encompassed by the target region. An exclusion advertisement different from the target advertisement is selected for the exclusion user based on the exclusion user being with the exclusion region. The exclusion advertisement is sent to the exclusion user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Jain, Yelena Nakhimovsky
  • Publication number: 20140081760
    Abstract: An approach is provided for determining content data to present to one or more users of a location-based grouping. A group content platform determines at least one location-based grouping of one or more users that have at least one common profile characteristic. The group content platform then determines one or more attributes of the at least one location-based grouping. The group content platform then processes the at least one common profile characteristic, the one or more attributes, or a combination thereof to determine content data to present to at least a subset of the one or more users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jukka Antero HOLM, Juha Henrik ARRASVUORI
  • Publication number: 20140081762
    Abstract: A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Heavy Hammer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael William URBANSKI, Charles David DENT
  • Publication number: 20140081763
    Abstract: A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Heavy Hammer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael William URBANSKI, Charles David DENT
  • Publication number: 20140081761
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for sending targeted and contextual promotional offers on behalf of a merchant by receiving location information for a particular venue by a storage/processing module, gathering contextual information, mapping merchant requirements to the location information, and sending the promotional offers to users, the contextual information provided by portable communication devices, and the mapping based on a predefined criteria and a subset of users whose requirements are mapped on the predefined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jayaram Singonahalli, Mack Cage, David M. Kalman, Jeffrey Michael Cooper
  • Patent number: 8676668
    Abstract: A population activity mapping method may include detecting a plurality of wireless mobile devices within a geographic region. Individual wireless mobile devices may include a processor, a user interface, a transmitter and a receiver. The detecting operation may be performed by use of a wireless access point, a GPS satellite, and/or a base station, and may be performed at at least two different points in time. Input data may be provided based upon the detecting operation. A distance and speed at which the mobile devices travel within the geographic region may be discerned dependent upon the input data. The discerning operation is performed by at least one processor of a computer network. A time and/or location at which salable output is to be made available and/or an amount of salable output to be made available may be determined dependent upon the discerning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20140074599
    Abstract: A computing apparatus configured to target the same offer differently to users based on the media channels used to deliver the offer. The offer may include first qualification conditions formulated based on triggering events, such as the current location of a user, the current transaction of the user as being processed by a transaction handler. The offer may further include second qualification conditions not based on such triggering events. When a first set of media channels is used for offer delivery, the first qualification conditions are ignored; and the offer is delivered, via the first set of media channels, to users who satisfy the second qualification conditions. When a second set of media channels is used for offer delivery, the delivery of the offer is limited to users who satisfy both the first qualification conditions and the second qualification conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Visa International Service Association
    Inventor: Douglas Joseph Rappoport
  • Publication number: 20140074610
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for generating a point of interest profile of a target user. Aspects include querying a web site for at least one social comment associated with a point of interest visited by the target user. The at least one social comment may be posted to the web site by at least one third-party not affiliated with the point of interest. The at least one social comment may be parsed for at least one keyword contained therein. Also, the at least one keyword may be correlated to an attribute characterizing visitors of the point of interest. A point of interest profile associating the attribute with the target user may additionally be generated. Further, the determined attribute may be associated with at least one third-party and the point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Eric Bilange
  • Publication number: 20140074611
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of custom side fairing covers and methods for using such covers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: TODD W. BENSON
  • Publication number: 20140074612
    Abstract: Systems, methods and non-transitory computer readable media are provided for selecting information items in connection with electronic messages. A request is obtained for a conversation from a user. The conversation including a plurality of electronic messages. A response to the request for the conversation is made. The request includes selecting an electronic message from the plurality of electronic messages in the conversation. Also, a plurality of information items is selected for a group of users including the user based on information identifying a communication channel, through which the group of users communicate with the computing system. The plurality of information items is associated with a keyword included in the electronic message. The plurality of information items and the conversation are then formatted for provision to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Uma Mahadevan, Jacob Samuels Burnim
  • Patent number: 8670766
    Abstract: A method of performing a SET-to-SET location service in a communication system is disclosed. The method comprises a first SUPL enabled terminal (SET) of the communication system sending a first Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) message to a home SUPL Location Platform (H-SLP) of the communication system for starting a session to query a plurality of location information of a second SET of the communication system, the H-SLP performing a positioning procedure with the second SET according to the first SUPL message, the second SET providing the plurality of location information, and the H-SLP sending a plurality of second SUPL messages to the first SET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Ho-Sung Chien
  • Publication number: 20140067540
    Abstract: A method of presenting fuel prices and corresponding fuel providers in a geographical area of interest to a user of a mobile computing device is provided. A mobile application is provided. A first set of fuel pricing information stored in a repository, information about a first location, and a subset of fuel pricing information are processed. The subset of fuel pricing information corresponds to a second set of fuel prices offered within an area proximal to the first location. The subset of fuel pricing information is categorized according to price, identifying each of the second set as corresponding to one of two or more price categories. Indication of fuel prices corresponding to the first price category is caused. Indication of locations corresponding to the first price category is caused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: David Lothele Williams, Karan Nischol, Rohan Koduvayur Krishnan Chandan, Timothy Towles, Suresh Venkatraman, Jinpei Li
  • Publication number: 20140067541
    Abstract: A method and a device for displaying information are provided. The method includes obtaining, by a movement path obtaining unit, information of a movement path of the terminal, receiving, by a short-range wireless communication unit, through a short-range wireless communication, position information of a server providing advertisement information, transmitting, by an information transmitting unit, to the server, information requesting advertisement, receiving, by an information receiving unit, from the server, advertisement information in response to the request, and displaying, by an advertisement displaying unit, on the terminal the received advertisement information on the basis of the obtained information on the movement path of the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-min KANG
  • Patent number: 8666814
    Abstract: There is provided an advertising method comprising receiving a broadcast request signal from a video on demand (VOD) terminal to download data broadcast; receiving an advertisement request signal from a mobile communication terminal to download advertising broadcast including information on goods related to contents of the data broadcast; synchronizing the data broadcast with the advertising broadcast in such a way that an advertising broadcast scene corresponding to the data broadcast is displayed on the mobile communication terminal while replaying the data broadcast on the VOD terminal; sending the data broadcast to the VOD terminal; and sending the advertising broadcast to the mobile communication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fobikr Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Ok Ko
  • Patent number: 8666538
    Abstract: Data content providers transfer data content (including DRM protected content) over a broadband network onto one or more information filling stations (IFSs) situated at one or more physical locations. Users are able to wirelessly communicate with the IFSs via one or more of portable devices that are operable in close proximity to the IFS. Data content requested by the portable devices include, but are not limited to: multimedia files, WWW data, real-time and interactive games, e-mail (with or without attachments), electronic newspapers, news and sports information, traffic and weather information, e-books, interactive messaging, and/or data files. Additionally, the portable devices are also capable of facilitating point-of-sale purchases and electronic funds transfers. Optionally, the IFS also forwards advertisements promoting products and services to the portable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: David A. Deas, Lalitha Suryanarayana, Bruce Edward Stuckman, David Randall Wolter, Rias Muhamed, Russell William White, Michael Grannan
  • Publication number: 20140058808
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a mobile device using position and external condition to select related advertising and a selection method thereof The mobile device comprises a storage module, a positioning module, a processing module and a display module. The storage module is provided for storing a plurality pieces of advertising information. The positioning module is provided for receiving a current position of the mobile device. The processing module is provided for reading a situational parameter of the mobile device or a characteristic parameter of a target user, and reading a plurality pieces of advertising information of the corresponding current position and situational parameter or characteristic parameter according to the current position, and the situational parameter or the characteristic parameter, and updating the advertising information according to the current position. The display module is provided for displaying plurality pieces of corresponding advertising information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: MITAC RESEARCH (SHANGHAI) LTD., MITAC INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Wei-Chiang CHO
  • Publication number: 20140058841
    Abstract: An approach for providing intent-based proximity marketing is described. A user is detected to be within proximity of a location. Purchase intent information of the user is determined in response to the detection. The purchase intent information is associated with the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Mark Getchius
  • Publication number: 20140058825
    Abstract: A network device receives location information from a user device and identifies, from an index of offers, a set of offers applicable in proximity to the location. Each offer in the set of offers includes location data to associate the offer with a particular geographic location. The network device sends, to the user device, at least a portion of set of offers as a default offer set. The user device store user preferences for advertising categories and presents, to a user, a reality image from the location of the user device. The user device selects—based on the user preferences, the reality image, and the location data—offers in the default offer set that are applicable to a user of the user device. The user device displays indications of the applicable offers overlaid on a portion of the reality image and makes the indications available for selection by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raman, Peter Steven Tippett
  • Publication number: 20140058842
    Abstract: Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service promoter, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service promoter may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the mobile subscriber's identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Samuel N. Zellner, Mark J. Enzmann, Robert T. Moton, JR.
  • Patent number: 8660965
    Abstract: A method for transmitting an order from a mobile device to a physical location of a merchant involves receiving, by the mobile device, the order while the mobile device is outside a predetermined distance from the physical location, storing the order to a storage device, and determining, by the mobile device and after storing the order, that the mobile device is within the predetermined distance from the physical location. The method further involves receiving, by the mobile device, a request from the user to submit the order after determining the mobile device is within the predetermined distance from the physical location, retrieving the order from the storage device in response to the request, and transmitting the order to the merchant after retrieving the order when the mobile device is within the predetermined distance of the physical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan M. Bickerstaff
  • Patent number: 8660894
    Abstract: A request for route information to a destination is received by a route processing module. Available routes to the destination are determined in response to receiving the request. It is determined, for at least one available route to the destination, whether the available route provides proximity to at least one targeted advertisement. At least one available route to the destination is provided upon determining that the available route provides the proximity to the targeted advertisement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Fred Raguillat, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20140052535
    Abstract: A wired/wireless Internet IP sharing device for controlling network access and a method of providing an advertisement using the same are disclosed. The method of providing the advertisement using the Internet internet protocol (IP) sharing device for controlling network access of a terminal may include providing an advertisement comprising at least one of coupon information, discount information, and product information associated with a location in which the internet IP sharing device is installed to the terminal when a network access request is received from the terminal, and allowing the terminal to access a network when the advertisement is run on the terminal, wherein the allowing includes allowing the terminal to access the network unconditionally when at least one action of a user of the terminal among clicking the advertisement, reproducing a video included in the advertisement, and executing a page viewer of the advertisement is recognized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicants: HANWHA SOLUTION & CONSULTING CO., LTD, MINIGATE. CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hoon JUNG, Heung Soon Park
  • Publication number: 20140052534
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method involves identifying a plurality of individuals located within view of an electronic advertising display. The individuals are users of a social-networking system, and the social-networking system includes a graph that includes two or more nodes and edges connecting the nodes. For each user there is at least one node in the graph corresponding to the user. After the individuals are identified, one or more attributes of each of one or more of the individuals is determined from data associated with nodes in the graph corresponding to the individuals or data associated with edges connected to nodes corresponding to the individuals. The attributes are then provided for selection of an advertisement for presentation on the electronic advertising display to the individuals. The selection of the advertisement is based at least in part on one or more of the attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Shaheen A. Gandhi
  • Publication number: 20140052536
    Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed whereby a mobile device is provided by one or more servers with unsolicited content. The mobile device stores the unsolicited material e.g. an ordered set of advertisements. A latency delay detector detects an imminent delay for the mobile device that then displays unsolicited items during the latency delay. Display is in screen whitespace and/or wallpaper areas, one item at a time in sequence, each for a predetermined period. Displayed items are purged after display and a user elects whether of not to receive unsolicited material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Mark McAndrew, Paul McAndrew
  • Patent number: 8655717
    Abstract: A system and method for generating and sending reward messages to users accomplishing goals related to a personalized health behavior plan. Rewards may be issued for reasons such as achieving an ultimate goal, reaching an intermediate goal, or completing a suggested activity such as eating a suggested meal or performing a suggested physical activity. A reward may be a coupon for use at an establishment such as a restaurant, a clothing store, or a fitness center. Rewards may also be checks sent through postal mail or coupons for printing on a personal printer. Reward messages are generated by an expert system based on a user's personalized diet, exercise, or other health plan, goals associated with the plan, and specified preferences. Reward messages are sent to user's portable devices. Current location information may be used to send a user a reward for use at a nearby establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Humana Innovations Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Schwarzberg, Marion Zabinski, Renee Melton, Timothy J. Dion
  • Patent number: 8650083
    Abstract: A system for identifying a same user of multiple communication devices is configured to perform the steps of: (a) receiving first data relating to a first device operated by a user; (b) receiving second data relating to a second device operated by a user; (c) determining that the user of the first device is the user of the second device based on identifying that the first data is substantially the same as the second data; and (d) selecting and transmitting a sponsored content to the second device for display thereon, wherein the sponsored content has a relevance to the first and second data and/or a user characteristic datum associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Millennial Media
    Inventors: Dennis L. Doughty, Benjamin M. Gordan, Shrikanth B. Mysore, Matthew A. Tengler
  • Patent number: 8650087
    Abstract: A system and a method for delivering information related to the evaluation values of products. The system includes an evaluation database (DB) for storing evaluation information; a user terminal for reading the product codes of products; and an inventory information DB for storing inventory information. The evaluation information is read, based on a product barcode obtained by the user terminal, from the evaluation DB, and a retail store within a predetermined distance from the user is searched based of the positional information (GPS) of the user terminal. Then, the inventory information DB, which is connected to the POS server of the retail store, is searched to acquire and display the inventory status of the product on the user terminal. Additionally, when the product is purchased, the evaluator who provided the evaluation information of the product is given points and paid a reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fugaku Tsuun Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhide Asanuma
  • Publication number: 20140040034
    Abstract: A request for information items may include content information associated with one or more electronic messages and geographical information associated with the requesting user. A set of information items is identified based on the user geographical information and the message content of the one or more electronic messages. In some embodiments, at least one of the information items is identified based on both the user geographical information and the message content. In some embodiments, if the user geographical information is different from the user's default geographical information, at least one of the information items is identified based on the user geographical information, but not the message content. A subset of the identified information items may be selected in accordance with a scoring or ranking function. The selected information items are transferred to the requesting client and displayed concurrently with (e.g., next to) the electronic messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Samuels Burnim
  • Publication number: 20140040033
    Abstract: Certain embodiments disclose a corral and enclosure defined by three members having an opening configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, with two substantially parallel walls of equal or different lengths and advertisement panels affixed on the walls, such that they can be staggered. The staggered arrangement of the at least two panels facilitates better visibility and allows the simultaneous viewing of at least two panels. The panel(s) may also include a near field communication component that is configured to execute a promotional function associated with an advertisement that is displayed by the corral. The promotional function may cause promotional content to be transferred to the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Starlite Media, LLC
    Inventor: Harold Lueken
  • Publication number: 20140040030
    Abstract: A mobile application enables an administrator of a page in a social networking system to manage the page from a mobile device, separate from a mobile application used to consume content on the social networking system. The administrator application may be used to post content on the page, add fans to the page, delete content posted by fans of the page, generate deals, manage advertising campaigns, and access real-time metrics and insights for the page. The administrator application may also enable a user to manage multiple pages that the user has been designated as an administrator. Loyalty programs may also be designed and implemented in real-time using the administrator application, enabling business owners to customize rewards for users generating check-in events at the place of business.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Kelly Winters, Changhao Jiang, Yuankai Ge, Rohit Dhawan
  • Publication number: 20140040026
    Abstract: Various embodiments in this disclosure describe a method and a system for including advertisements in streaming content. For example, a manifest file may be accessed by a client device from a server device via a network, the manifest file including one or more media segment URLs and one or more advertisement markers arranged in a predetermined sequence. The advertisement markers included in the manifest file may be replaced by the client device with advertisement URLs associated with user-customized advertisements. The media segment URLs and the advertisement URLs included in the manifest file may then be sequentially accessed in accordance with the predetermined sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Viswanathan Swaminathan, Venkat Jonnadula, Kelly Kishore
  • Publication number: 20140040031
    Abstract: A method of advertising to a targeted consumer, via an application based consumer profiling algorithm which determines the interests of a consumer in a particular geographical position then queues relevant pre-loaded advertisements on an out-of-home (OOH) medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan Christian Frangakis, Gabriel Alan Frangakis