IP Library Granted Patent US 7,966,282
Granted Patent B2
US 7,966,282 · App. 12/503,334 · Granted Jun 21, 2011

Interactive machine learning advice facility with contextual suggestions

Assignee: Hunch Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,966,282
App. No.
12/503,334
Granted
Jun 21, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for helping a user make a decision through the use of a computing facility, where the computing facility may be a machine learning facility. The process may begin with an initial question being received by the computing facility from the user. The user may then be provided with a dialog consisting of questions from the computing facility and answers provided by the user. The computing facility may then provide a decision to the user based on the dialog and pertaining to the initial question, such as a recommendation, a diagnosis, a conclusion, advice, and the like. In embodiments, future questions and decisions provided by the computing facility may be improved through feedback provided by the user. In embodiments, the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with a third-party application.

Claims (21)

1. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that, when executing on one or more computers, helps a user make a decision through the use of a computing facility by performing the steps of:

creating a profile for the user through a sequence of questions presented from the computing facility to the user during a registration process;

receiving an initial question at the computing facility from the user;

providing the user with a dialogue in a window of a user interface consisting of questions from the computing facility and answers provided by the user, wherein at least one of the questions from the computing facility is selected based upon the profile;

providing the decision to the user from the computing facility, wherein the decision is a single answer to the initial question from the user based on the dialogue and the profile; and

providing a suggestion outside of the window of the dialogue and concurrently with the dialogue for one or more items that the user might like, wherein the suggestion is based upon a context provided by the profile, the initial question, and the dialogue.

2. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the suggestion is a topic that other users found helpful.

3. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the suggestion is based upon a history of decisions provided to the user.

4. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the suggestion is a product.

5. A method for operating a computing facility to help a user make a decision, the method comprising:

creating a profile for the user through a sequence of questions presented from the computing facility to the user during a registration process;

receiving an initial question at the computing facility from the user;

providing the user with a dialogue in a window of a user interface consisting of questions from the computing facility and answers provided by the user, wherein at least one of the questions from the computing facility is selected based upon the profile;

providing the decision to the user from the computing facility, wherein the decision is a single answer to the initial question from the user based on the dialogue and the profile; and

providing a suggestion outside of the window of the dialogue and concurrently with the dialogue for one or more items that the user might like, wherein the suggestion is based upon a context provided by the profile, the initial question, and the dialogue.

6. A server comprising a memory, a processor, and an interface to access devices through a network, wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of:

creating a profile for a user through a sequence of questions presented from a computing facility to the user during a registration process;

receiving an initial question at the computing facility from the user;

providing the user with a dialogue in a window of a user interface consisting of questions from the computing facility and answers provided by the user, wherein at least one of the questions from the computing facility is selected based upon the profile;

providing the decision to the user from the computing facility, wherein the decision is a single answer to the initial question from the user based on the dialogue and the profile; and

providing a suggestion outside of the window of the dialogue and concurrently with the dialogue for one or more items that the user might like, wherein the suggestion is based upon a context provided by the profile, the initial question, and the dialogue.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE DOCUMENT-APPLICAT'S REPRESENTATIVE SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR RECORDATION OF MERGER DOCUMENT BETWEEN HUNCH, INC. AND EBAY INC. ON DECEMBER 2011, WHICH WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 05, 2012 AT REEL 027475, FRAME 0958-0962. APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE INADVERTENTLLY INCLUDED AN ADDITIONAL PAGE (REFERENCED HEREIN AS "INTEL-NUMONYX") WITH THE ORIGINAL MERGER DOCUMENT THAT WAS RECORDED. APPLICANT RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS THAT THE ORIGINAL MERGER DOCUMENT ATTACHED HERETO IS RECORDED WITHOUT THE INTEL-NUMONYX PAGE. Recorded Mar 16, 2012
From: HUNCH INC.
To: EBAY INC.
Reel/Frame 027890/0823 →
MERGER Recorded Dec 28, 2011
From: HUNCH INC.
To: EBAY INC.
Reel/Frame 027475/0958 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2010
From: PINCKNEY, THOMAS; DIXON, CHRISTOPHER; GATTIS, MATTHEW R.
To: HUNCH INC.
Reel/Frame 025382/0163 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 12483768 · Jun 12, 2009
Continuation In Part 12262862 · Oct 31, 2008
Provisional Application 61097394 · Sep 16, 2008
Provisional Application 60984948 · Nov 2, 2007
Provisional Application 61060226 · Jun 10, 2008
Related Publication 20100017348A1 · Jan 21, 2010