Beryl Tomay

This patent relates to cloud-based coordination of content playback across multiple user devices. While content is being presented (e.g., ebook, music, or video), a user can interact with the content, such as turn the page or pause it, on a first user device (e.g., phone). The cloud gets some data indicating where in the content the user left off and, when the user wants to resume on another device (e.g., TV, Kindle), the content's playback can resume from where it was on the first device… Show more

This patent relates to cloud-based coordination of content playback across multiple user devices. While content is being presented (e.g., ebook, music, or video), a user can interact with the content, such as turn the page or pause it, on a first user device (e.g., phone). The cloud gets some data indicating where in the content the user left off and, when the user wants to resume on another device (e.g., TV, Kindle), the content's playback can resume from where it was on the first device (phone). Show less

This patent relates to an automated safety system that provides safety tips to delivery drivers regarding potential hazards and/or safety incidents on delivery routes. The system can determine the presence of hazards based on feedback from delivery drivers, sensor information from devices carried by delivery drivers, and/or information from external systems/databases (e.g., weather databases, traffic databases, health databases, etc.), driving behavior of delivery drivers, etc. The generates… Show more

This patent relates to an automated safety system that provides safety tips to delivery drivers regarding potential hazards and/or safety incidents on delivery routes. The system can determine the presence of hazards based on feedback from delivery drivers, sensor information from devices carried by delivery drivers, and/or information from external systems/databases (e.g., weather databases, traffic databases, health databases, etc.), driving behavior of delivery drivers, etc. The generates safety tips for particular delivery drivers based on at least one of their delivery routes, the types of safety hazards on their delivery routes, and/or driving patterns. The system can then transmit the tips to delivery drivers prior to the start of their routes, or during their routes but prior to encountering the hazards. Show less

This patent relates to synchronizing presentation of content across devices for a customer. When content (video, music, book) is presented to a customer by first device, synchronization information related to the presentation of the content is shared with other customer devices. This way all of the customer's devices know where the customer is in the content. When a synchronization event occurs (e.g., customer interacts with the content in some manner), new synchronization information is… Show more

This patent relates to synchronizing presentation of content across devices for a customer. When content (video, music, book) is presented to a customer by first device, synchronization information related to the presentation of the content is shared with other customer devices. This way all of the customer's devices know where the customer is in the content. When a synchronization event occurs (e.g., customer interacts with the content in some manner), new synchronization information is generated and shared with the other devices so they stay in sync. Show less

This patent relates to a system for containerization of items to improve logistics efficiencies. When items are ordered by different users and are to be handled within a common time period (e.g., a two day time period), the paths of items during handling may be analyzed to identify common portions. For example, the common portion may include a sequence at a fulfillment center, a sortation center, a delivery station, a delivery zone, and/or an apartment complex. The items in the common portion… Show more

This patent relates to a system for containerization of items to improve logistics efficiencies. When items are ordered by different users and are to be handled within a common time period (e.g., a two day time period), the paths of items during handling may be analyzed to identify common portions. For example, the common portion may include a sequence at a fulfillment center, a sortation center, a delivery station, a delivery zone, and/or an apartment complex. The items in the common portion may be added to a container based on a cost-benefit analysis across potential containerization options within the time period. Instead of handling the items individually, the container may be handled instead, thereby reducing the number of touches throughout the network. Show less

This patent relates to obtaining delivery confirmation by determining the position of a delivery agent's device via network-based techniques. For example, a delivery agent's mobile device may be triangulated at the time of delivery via a network provider's systems (e.g., AT&T, Sprint, Comcast, etc.), and/or via signals from known locations of Wi-Fi access points or cell phone towers.

This patent is related to managing the crowd sourcing of item deliveries. A staged approach is described. In a first stage, drivers are allocated to zones in a service area by balancing the forecasted demand for item deliveries against the schedules of the drivers. In a second stage, a dynamic re-allocation of the drivers is performed given the variability in the demand and the availabilities of the drivers. Specifically, the forecast is updated based on the actual demand and the current… Show more

This patent is related to managing the crowd sourcing of item deliveries. A staged approach is described. In a first stage, drivers are allocated to zones in a service area by balancing the forecasted demand for item deliveries against the schedules of the drivers. In a second stage, a dynamic re-allocation of the drivers is performed given the variability in the demand and the availabilities of the drivers. Specifically, the forecast is updated based on the actual demand and the current utilizations of the drivers is monitored (e.g., their location data and delivery assignments). In this stage, a re-balancing is performed to re-allocate the drivers to different zones and efficiently meet the updated demand given the current utilization. Show less

This patent relates to providing items, such as electronic books to, e.g., an electronic book reader. In one example, a user device requests an item (e.g., an eBook) from an item-providing system (e.g., an online repository/server). The system determines a maximum number of devices to which the item can be provided. There is a limit on the maximum number of copies of the eBook that can be concurrently lent out (e.g., similar to a library having a fixed number of copies of a book and once all… Show more

This patent relates to providing items, such as electronic books to, e.g., an electronic book reader. In one example, a user device requests an item (e.g., an eBook) from an item-providing system (e.g., an online repository/server). The system determines a maximum number of devices to which the item can be provided. There is a limit on the maximum number of copies of the eBook that can be concurrently lent out (e.g., similar to a library having a fixed number of copies of a book and once all those have been borrowed, subsequent requests are put in a queue). The system then determines whether providing the item to the user device will result in exceeding the max number of devices. If not, the item is provided to the user device. If yes, the user device or the device is put in a queue for future receipt of the eBook. Show less

This patent relates to using computer vision to identify objects. A computing device (e.g., phone) captures information about surrounding objects for purposes of identifying or otherwise obtaining information about those objects. Various types of contextual information are also stored in connection with the image recognition. The contextual information is then used to predict objects the user might encounter and want to identify in the future (e.g., when at a book store, load data used to… Show more

This patent relates to using computer vision to identify objects. A computing device (e.g., phone) captures information about surrounding objects for purposes of identifying or otherwise obtaining information about those objects. Various types of contextual information are also stored in connection with the image recognition. The contextual information is then used to predict objects the user might encounter and want to identify in the future (e.g., when at a book store, load data used to identify books onto the device). With this approach, the user can get faster or offline computer vision results. Show less

This patent relates to using the location of client devices (e.g. smartphones) to confirm deliveries. For example, if the smartphone of a customer and a delivery agent are in close proximity to each other at the same time a delivery was made, this could indicate that a delivery was made. Likewise, if the smartphone of a delivery agent was in close proximity to the destination of the delivery (e.g., near the front door of a house), this information could also indicate that a delivery was made.

Systems and methods for providing a service to a device based on a capability of the device are described herein. A device type of the device may be identified based on information associated with the device. A determination may be made whether the device supports the service, based at least on the device type. The service may be provided to the device when the device supports the service.

Systems and methods for providing a service to a device based on a capability of the device are described herein. A device type of the device may be identified based on information associated with the device. A determination may be made whether the device supports the service, based at least on the device type. The service may be provided to the device when the device supports the service.

A processing device receives a schedule from a server, the schedule identifying delivery times for a set of items associated with the user device. At each delivery time, the processing device contacts the server to obtain one or more items from the server in accordance with the schedule.

A user can capture various types of information concurrently using multiple sensors of an electronic device. This "scene" data can be provided to a service for processing, which is able to identify various types of potential matches and aggregate information to be returned to the client device. In at least some embodiments, matching information can be sent with the results such that the electronic device can match an element in the scene the next time that element is encountered, without having… Show more

A user can capture various types of information concurrently using multiple sensors of an electronic device. This "scene" data can be provided to a service for processing, which is able to identify various types of potential matches and aggregate information to be returned to the client device. In at least some embodiments, matching information can be sent with the results such that the electronic device can match an element in the scene the next time that element is encountered, without having to contact the service again. In some embodiments, an attempt can be made to predict elements that the user might attempt to identify, and one or more corpora of data can be sent to the electronic device such that the client device can perform any matching on the device for elements in those corpora. Show less

An item-providing system supplies items to a user device for consumption at the user device via communication infrastructure. The device may correspond to a book reader device or other type of device. The item-providing system uses a content delivery module to deliver the items to the user device.

The continued proliferation of digital content items has led to an increase in the number and availability of such content items, as well as an increase in the number and availability of electronic devices and applications used for consuming these content items. For instance, users may consume digital content items, such as electronic books (eBooks) and other types of content items, on a large assortment of different types of electronic devices and platforms. As the number of content items and… Show more

The continued proliferation of digital content items has led to an increase in the number and availability of such content items, as well as an increase in the number and availability of electronic devices and applications used for consuming these content items. For instance, users may consume digital content items, such as electronic books (eBooks) and other types of content items, on a large assortment of different types of electronic devices and platforms. As the number of content items and different types of devices for consuming content items continues to increase, enhancing the user experience while consuming these content items can be beneficial for both the user and the provider of such content items. Show less

A server creates a schedule for each of multiple user devices based on a set of items associated with a corresponding user device, and allows each user device to obtain associated items in accordance with the schedule.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the sharing of synchronization information corresponding to content among devices in a communication network. An originating device collects synchronization information related to the presentation of content to a user via the originating device. The synchronization information is defined according to reference points related to the presentation of the content to the user via the originating device, including a current state of the presentation of the… Show more

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the sharing of synchronization information corresponding to content among devices in a communication network. An originating device collects synchronization information related to the presentation of content to a user via the originating device. The synchronization information is defined according to reference points related to the presentation of the content to the user via the originating device, including a current state of the presentation of the content and/or additional information obtained during the presentation of the content. Based on detection of a synchronization event, the originating device transmits the collected synchronization information, resulting in the receipt of the synchronization information by one or more receiving devices. Thereafter, the presentation of the content to the user on one of the receiving devices can incorporate the synchronization information collected and transmitted by the originating device. Show less

Systems and method provide logic for providing a service. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method provides a service to a device based on a capability of the device. The method includes identifying a device type of a device based on information associated with the device. The method determines whether the device supports the service, based on at least the identified device type, and provides the service to the device, when the device supports the service.

An item-providing system supplies items to a user device for consumption at the user device via communication infrastructure. The device may correspond to a book reader device or other type of device. The item-providing system uses a content delivery module to deliver the items to the user device.

An information collection system may include a server and one or more user devices that are in electronic communication with each other. Information may be collected by the user devices. For example, a user device may collect information regarding an error that occurred on the device. A server may monitor the user devices and receive information reports from those devices. The server may also instruct the user devices to perform self-corrective actions based on information received from those… Show more

An information collection system may include a server and one or more user devices that are in electronic communication with each other. Information may be collected by the user devices. For example, a user device may collect information regarding an error that occurred on the device. A server may monitor the user devices and receive information reports from those devices. The server may also instruct the user devices to perform self-corrective actions based on information received from those devices. Show less