Vungle Granted US Patent for Adaptive Advertising Services

The USPTO granted Patent US12608726B2 to Vungle, Inc. on April 21, 2026. The patent covers systems and methods for providing advertising services to devices using adaptive algorithms that consider user ad engagement history, app engagement history, and in-app purchase history when making ad selection decisions. The patent contains 23 claims.

Blue Yonder E-Commerce Patent, 20 Claims, Apr 21

USPTO granted Patent US12608739B1 to Blue Yonder Group, Inc. for systems and methods of multimodal interaction-based e-commerce. The patent (20 claims, CPC G06Q 30/06) covers multimodal fusion combining user focus and emotional-state tracking, collaborative filtering, and adaptive weighting for personalized product and service recommendations. The filing date was January 10, 2024.

Dell Patent Granted Apr 21 for Data Protection Configuration Analysis

USPTO granted patent US12608732B2 to Dell Products L.P. on April 21, 2026. The patent covers methods for managing a data protection module by analyzing client metadata and vendor metadata to identify configuration mismatches, calculating similarity scores, and generating recommendations to resolve vendor-related mismatches. The patent includes 20 claims under CPC classification G06Q 30/0621.

Shopify Patent: ML Product Categorization Method

The USPTO granted Shopify Inc. Patent US12608733B2 covering a machine learning method for product categorization using taxonomy trees. The patent describes inputting product information into a trained ML model to generate probability arrays across taxonomy levels, then iteratively selecting categories based on probability thresholds until a final category prediction is determined. This protects Shopify's algorithmic approach to automated product classification within its e-commerce platform.

Maplebear Inc. Granted Patent on Content Eligibility Using Machine Learning

The USPTO granted Patent US12608725B2 to Maplebear Inc. on April 21, 2026, covering an online system that uses machine-learning models to predict user metrics and determine content-item presentation eligibility. The system generates optimal values for users based on predicted metrics, stated objectives, and constraints, then sends content to client devices only when a user qualifies. The patent contains 18 claims and lists Tilman Drerup, Levi Boxell, and Rishikesh Yardi as inventors.

Mastercard Loyalty Points Exchange System, Granted 21st Apr

The USPTO granted patent US12608723B2 to Mastercard Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd. covering a method and system for exchanging loyalty points across multiple merchant loyalty programs. The patent describes a process for identifying user loyalty profiles, determining insufficient points for a transaction, and exchanging points from one merchant program to cover another merchant's transaction. This patent grant does not create compliance obligations for any party other than establishing exclusive legal rights for Mastercard.

Reputation Scoring System Using Survey Ratings, Granted Apr 21

The USPTO granted Patent US12608721B2 to REPTRAK HOLDINGS, INC. on April 21, 2026. The patent covers a system and method for determining and managing entity or industry reputation using behavioral connections, involving survey rating collection, cultural bias weighting, and aggregated behavioral connection scoring. The patent contains 17 claims and is classified under G06Q (business methods) and G06N (machine learning).

Capital One Granted Patent for Vehicle Recommendations Based on Browser Context

The USPTO granted Patent US12608736B2 to Capital One Services, LLC on April 21, 2026. The patent covers a recommendation system that receives browser context information from a client device, generates a vehicle feature vector, applies a similarity model to determine vehicle recommendations, and filters results based on user profile data from the browser context. The patent contains 20 claims and was filed on February 15, 2023.

Snap Inc. European Patent for Single Image Body Animation

The European Patent Office published application EP3980974A1 for Snap Inc., titled 'Single Image-Based Real-Time Body Animation,' dated April 15, 2026. The application covers AI-based computer graphics methods for animating human bodies from single images, with classifications in G06N (neural network computing) and G06T (image processing). The designated states include all major EU member states plus the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey.

EP3979160A1 - Optimised Internet Connectivity Configuration, SITA Switzerland, Apr 15 2026

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3979160A1 titled 'Method and System for Identifying an Optimised Internet Connectivity Configuration' filed by SITA Switzerland Sàrl. The application covers AI/ML-based methods for optimizing internet connectivity configurations using multiple classification systems including G06N (machine learning) and H04L (data networks). Inventors include HAYOT, BENAIN, GRANDCHAMP, and FRAMMERY. The publication designates 38 European states and includes a search report.

EPO Publishes IMRA Europe AI Patent on Mixture Distribution Estimation

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3977359A1 filed by IMRA Europe S.A.S. The application covers AI/machine learning methods for mixture distribution estimation applied to future prediction systems. Inventors include BROX, Thomas, MAKANSI, Osama, CICEK, Özgün, and ILG, Eddy.

Hitachi Fault Finding Support System EP3998558A1

The European Patent Office published Hitachi, Ltd.'s patent application EP3998558A1 for a Fault Finding Support System. The system covers AI-based fault detection and analysis methods for industrial applications, classified under IPC codes G06N (AI), G06Q (business methods), and G05B 23/02 (fault finding systems). The patent is designated across 31 European contracting states.

EPO Patent EP3916626A1 - Multimodal Egocentric Future Prediction

The European Patent Office granted patent EP3916626A1, titled 'Computer-Implemented Method for Multimodal Egocentric Future Prediction', to applicants IMRA Europe SAS and Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. The invention relates to computer-implemented methods for predicting future states in egocentric view using multiple modalities, classified under IPC G06K 9/00, G06K 9/62, G06N 3/04, and G06N 3/08. The patent provides exclusive IP rights across 31 designated European member states.

EP3776445A1 - Pipe Failure Prediction by Fracta

The European Patent Office published patent EP3776445A1, titled 'Processing Data for Predicting Pipe Failure,' granted to applicant Fracta. The invention covers machine learning methods for predicting pipe failures, classified under G06N (artificial intelligence) and G06Q 50/06 (utilities).

European AI Patent, Bayesian Neuromorphic Compiler, Apr 15

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3935574A1 for a network-composition module for a Bayesian neuromorphic compiler, filed by HRL Laboratories, LLC. The invention is classified under IPC category G06N (AI and computing). The patent application has been published and is open for third-party observations during the examination phase.

Amazon Technologies Reinforcement Learning Simulation Patent

The European Patent Office published Amazon Technologies Inc.'s patent application EP3884432A1 for reinforcement learning model training through simulation. The patent is classified under IPC G06N 3/00 and G06N 20/00 (Computing/AI). The publication grants Amazon exclusive rights under European patent law across 47 designated EU and non-EU states.

Visuworks AI Patent EP4024401A1 for Vision Correction Surgery Recommendations

The European Patent Office published patent application EP4024401A1 for Visuworks, titled 'Vision Correction Surgery Recommendation Method and Apparatus.' The application covers AI-based methods (G06N 20/00) for recommending vision correction surgery, classified across healthcare (G16H), ophthalmology (A61B, A61F), and machine learning domains. The patent designates 31 European states including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.

METHOD FOR DETERMINING DEPTH INFORMATION AND RELATED DEVICE

The European Patent Office published patent EP3779881A1 titled 'Method for Determining Depth Information and Related Device', assigned to Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited. The patent covers neural network methods for determining depth information using multi-view image processing. Inventors include JIE, Zequn, LING, Yonggen, and LIU, Wei.

AVL List Device Analysis, Machine Learning, EP3750089A1

The European Patent Office published European patent application EP3750089A1 for AVL List GmbH. The application covers methods and systems for analyzing devices using machine learning. The filing is classified under IPC G06N 20/00 (machine learning) and related categories.

Deere & Company European Patent, Crop Type AI Classification

The European Patent Office published European patent application EP3743876A1, filed by Deere & Company, covering an artificial intelligence system for classifying crop types in images using deep learning and computer vision techniques. The application names three inventors and carries IPC classifications spanning neural networks, image recognition, and agricultural technology. The publication covers 34 designated European member states.

EP3731740A1 - Acclarent Anatomical Distance Monitoring System

The EPO published European patent application EP3731740A1 titled 'Monitoring Distance to Selected Anatomical Structures During a Procedure' filed by Acclarent, Inc. and Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. The A1 publication includes the international search report. The application covers medical devices for real-time anatomical distance tracking during surgical procedures under IPC classifications A61B 5/00, A61B 5/06, and A61B 1/233.

Galvani Bioelectronics Inflammation Treatment Patent Application EP3727570A1

The EPO published patent application EP3727570A1 filed by Galvani Bioelectronics Limited for systems and methods of treating disorders associated with inflammation using bioelectronic approaches. The application covers electrical stimulation devices targeting inflammatory conditions and names six inventors. The patent designates 32 European states including all current EU member states plus Albania, Norway, Switzerland, and other EPC contracting states.

Abbott Diabetes Care Analyte Sensor EP3542712A1 Published

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3542712A1 for Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., titled 'Analyte Sensor and Apparatus for Insertion of the Sensor.' The patent application covers A61B diagnostic and A61M medical device technologies including analyte sensors, insertion apparatus, and associated control systems. The application is designated for all 35 EU member states and extension states.

Riverfield Arm Device EP3777641A1

The European Patent Office published patent EP3777641A1 for an ARM DEVICE, assigned to Riverfield Inc. The invention relates to robotic arm technology for diagnostic and surgical applications, classified under A61B 1/00, A61B 90/50, A61B 34/30, A61B 17/00, and B25J 9/06. The patent names HARAGUCHI, Daisuke, TADANO, Kotaro, and KANAZAWA, Noriaki as inventors, with designated states covering all major European jurisdictions.

Fluid Collection Medical Device EP3755225A1

The European Patent Office granted patent EP3755225A1 to LHM Innovations Pty Ltd on April 15, 2026, for a fluid collection medical device. The invention is classified under IPC category A61B (measurement/detection for diagnosis) and designates 37 contracting states across the EPO member framework.

Hexacath Infusion Catheter Treats Body Passage Obstructions

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3463542A1 titled 'DEVICE FORMING AN INFUSION CATHETER FOR TREATING AT LEAST ONE PARTIAL OR TOTAL OBSTRUCTION IN A PASSAGE, SUCH AS A BODY PASSAGE.' The application was filed by Hexacath, with inventors DE BRUYNE, Bernard, PIJLS, Nico, ASCHER, Gilles, Charles, and Franklin. The EPO publication makes the application available for public inspection and potential opposition proceedings.

Base Field MRI Magnet Assembly for MRT System

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3736591A1 for a base field magnet assembly for magnetic resonance tomography (MRT/MRI) systems, filed by Siemens Healthineers AG. The invention, credited to inventor Stefan Popescu, is classified under IPC G01R 33/38 (nuclear magnetic resonance measuring arrangements for measuring magnetic properties of nuclei) and A61B 5/055 (measuring for diagnostic purposes in combination with MRI). The patent is valid in 35 designated European member and extension states.

Boston Scientific Wide Hemostasis Clip Patent Application EP3410959A1

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3410959A1 for a wide hemostasis clip filed by Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. The application was published on April 15, 2026 under IPC classification A61B 17/122, covering the surgical clip device and its deployment mechanism.

Affera Catheter Ablation Electrode Image Sensor EP3451963A2

The European Patent Office published patent application EP3451963A2 for Affera, Inc., covering a catheter with an ablation electrode and an image sensor for cardiac ablation procedures. The A2 publication (European patent application published under Article 93 EPC) covers all EU and EEA contracting states. This patent publication establishes intellectual property rights for the disclosed medical device technology combining ablation delivery with real-time imaging feedback.

Motion-Compensated Medical Imaging Device Patent EP3677186A1

The European Patent Office granted Patent EP3677186A1 to Siemens Healthineers AG for a motion-compensated medical imaging device and system. The patent, invented by Alois Regensburger and Jessica Magaraggia, covers technology to generate motion-compensated images for diagnostic purposes. The patent is designated for all listed European member states.

Sensing Or Stimulating Activity Of Tissue - EP3536375A1, Synchron Australia Pty Ltd

The EPO has published European patent application EP3536375A1, filed by Synchron Australia Pty Ltd, covering a device for sensing or stimulating tissue activity. The application names Thomas James Oxley as inventor and includes 34 IPC classifications spanning neural stimulation, physiological measurement, and human-computer interaction. The publication constitutes prior art as of April 15, 2026.

EPO Publishes Intraoral OCT Color Texture Imaging Patent Application

The European Patent Office published application EP3644832A1 titled 'INTRAORAL OCT WITH COLOR TEXTURE' on April 15, 2026. The application covers intraoral optical coherence tomography imaging systems that incorporate color texture processing for dental applications. The applicant is Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation.

Sarah Breeden on Financial System Stability Risks

Sarah Breeden, Deputy Governor for Financial Stability at the Bank of England, delivered a speech at Harvard Law School's Program on International Financial Systems Symposium on 17 April 2026 examining whether recent financial system resilience marks a structural shift or a temporary reprieve. The speech reviews historical financial crisis patterns, acknowledges the banking system's strengthened capital and liquidity buffers built since the 2008 global financial crisis, and identifies three current vulnerabilities warranting attention: the rapid growth of private markets, sovereign balance sheet risks, and risk migration from banks to market-based finance.

RBI Governor Malhotra Speech on India's Growth and Monetary Policy at Princeton

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra delivered an address at Princeton University describing India's economic growth trajectory (averaging 6.1% annually versus global 3.2%) and outlining the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy framework. The speech covers India's Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) framework, adopted in 2016, which targets 4% inflation with a ±2% tolerance band. Malhotra discussed guiding principles including robustness over optimality, Brainard's attenuation principle, anchoring inflation expectations, transparency, and clear communication.

Eurozone Geopolitical Turmoil: Olli Rehn Speech

Olli Rehn, Governor of the Bank of Finland, delivered a speech at the Washington Economic Festival on April 16, 2026, discussing how geopolitical turmoil, particularly the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, is affecting eurozone economic growth and inflation. Rehn outlined the ECB's medium-term inflation targeting strategy of 2%, noting that the short-term impact of geopolitical shocks on energy markets could push inflation higher while weakening growth. The speech concluded with remarks on Europe's strategic challenges: security and defense, energy transition, and long-term growth and investment.

SNB Leaders Discuss Cashless Payments in Zurich

Swiss National Bank Governing Board members Petra Tschudin and Thomas Moser delivered a speech on cashless payment trends at the Money Market Event in Zurich on 16 April 2026. The speech described current payment method usage in Switzerland, with cash accounting for around 30% of point-of-sale transactions, cards around 50%, and mobile payment apps around 20%. The presenters discussed the technical and economic mechanisms underlying cashless payments from a macroeconomic perspective.

Central Bank of Eswatini Governor Phil Mnisi Global Money Week 2026 Speech

The Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini delivered a speech at the Global Money Week 2026 launch event in Ezulwini on March 11, 2026, themed 'Smart Money Talks.' The Governor encouraged young people to engage openly in financial conversations, conduct research through reputable sources, and build financial literacy skills as a foundation for lifelong financial resilience.

Waller: Modernising Federal Reserve Operations in the 21st Century

Christopher J Waller, Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution on April 21, 2026 outlining how the Fed's operations have evolved and addressing critical questions about which Reserve Bank activities are intrinsically local versus those conducted on behalf of the Federal Reserve System as a whole. The speech covered the Fed's decentralized structure mandated under the 1913 Federal Reserve Act, the shift from paper-based to digital operations, and the ongoing modernization efforts to reduce costs, manage risk, and deliver value to the American taxpayer. Approximately 20,000 employees across 12 Reserve Banks focus on operations including market operations, Treasury fiscal agent activities, payment systems, and supporting functions like IT, HR, finance, and procurement.

Erik Thedéen: Vulnerabilities and Resilience in a New World Order

Erik Thedéen, Governor of Sveriges Riksbank, delivered a keynote address at the Hanaholmen conference in Stockholm on April 20, 2026, addressing the need for cooperation between companies, public authorities, and countries to ensure security, resilience, and competitiveness amid global geopolitical instability. The speech highlighted the interconnected Nordic-Baltic financial system and the critical role of major financial institutions including Nordea, SEB, Swedbank, DNB, Danske Bank, Nasdaq, and Euroclear in providing cross-border financial services. Thedéen outlined several operational resilience measures including offline card payment capability for essential goods by July 1, 2026, investigation into offline Swish payments, and Sweden's proposed requirement for staffed grocery stores and pharmacies to accept cash from July 1, 2026.

Paolo Angelini: DLT and Stablecoins - Where Do We Stand?

Paolo Angelini, Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Italy, delivered a speech at the International Economic Symposium co-hosted by the Bank of Italy and the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) in Rome on April 20, 2026. The speech, published on April 22, 2026, examines the adoption of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in financial services, covering four main use-case categories: crypto assets, asset tokenization, financial market infrastructure, and payments including stablecoins. Angelini concludes that while DLT adoption shows 'gradual building of momentum' rather than a 'big bang,' the outlook is 'tentative yes' after reassessing his position from three years prior.

ECB President Lagarde Outlines Energy Shock Impact on Euro Area

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, delivered a keynote speech at the Association of German Banks' 75th anniversary reception in Berlin on 20 April 2026, outlining the economic impact of energy disruptions on the euro area. The ECB published baseline, adverse, and severe scenarios in March driven by progressively higher energy prices, all showing higher inflation and lower growth than December projections. The speech highlights that the supply disruption is enormous, with net oil losses estimated at around 13 million barrels per day—roughly 13% of global consumption—even before accounting for additional disruptions.

Bain Capital Clears EC Merger Review for Tingstad Group Acquisition

The European Commission has cleared Bain Capital Investors, LLC's acquisition of sole control over Aktiebolaget Tingstad Papper (Tingstad Group) under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The decision, dated 21 April 2026, was issued via the simplified merger treatment procedure. Bain Capital is a US-based private equity firm; Tingstad Group is a Swedish family-owned distributor and manufacturer of non-food consumables including hygiene products, foodservice disposables, and paper carrier bags. The Commission declared the operation compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement.

Sirius Brookfield Paradise JV Merger Clearance Article 6(1)(b)

The European Commission cleared the joint acquisition of Paradise JV by Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. and Sirius Holdings Limited under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The transaction involves Paradise JV, which owns and operates the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The Commission declared the operation compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement, adopting the decision under the simplified treatment procedure for certain concentrations.

VIG / NÜRNBERGER Merger Cleared by EU Commission

The European Commission issued a decision on April 15, 2026 (published April 22, 2026) not to oppose the notified concentration between VIG and NÜRNBERGER, declaring it compatible with the internal market. The decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (the EC Merger Regulation). The full text of the decision will be made publicly available in the merger section of the Commission's Competition Policy website and on EUR-Lex after business secrets are removed.

Slovenia Direct Grants for Laying Hen Holdings Until 2028

The European Commission approved Slovenia's State Aid scheme SA.121698 for direct grants to laying hen holding operators. The scheme, registered on 7 January 2026, will run until 31 December 2028 and covers regions Vzhodna Slovenija and Zahodna Slovenija. The EC issued a decision not to raise objections on 17 April 2026, finding the aid compatible with the internal market under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the Agricultural Guidelines 2023.

HB26-1419 Over-Refund of Excess State Revenues

Colorado bill HB26-1419 was introduced on April 21, 2026, concerning the over-refund amount for state fiscal year 2024-25 of state revenues in excess of the state fiscal year spending limit under section 20 of article X of the state constitution. The bill has been assigned to the House Appropriations Committee and is currently under consideration. A committee hearing is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026 at 8:30 AM in the Old State Library.

Wind Energy Facilities Light-Mitigating Technology Approval Changes

Colorado HB26-1420 would modify the approval process for light-mitigating technology required at certain wind-powered energy generation facilities. The bill was introduced on April 21, 2026 by Representatives Amy Paschal, Chris Richardson, and Senators Chris Kolker and Rod Pelton. It has been assigned to the House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee for consideration. As a proposed bill, it has not yet been enacted and remains subject to committee review and potential amendment before any vote by the full legislature.

Prohibit Government Access to Historical Location Information Database SB26-070

Colorado SB26-070 would prohibit government entities from accessing databases storing historical location information about individuals or vehicles, subject to certain exceptions. The bill bars sharing such information with third parties or agencies outside their jurisdiction, and classifies historical location data as non-public under the Colorado Open Records Act. Government entities collecting this data must adopt compliance policies, the attorney general is empowered to enforce violations, and evidence obtained in violation would be inadmissible at trial.

Colorado Prison Population Management Measures

SB26-036 would require the Colorado Department of Corrections to report monthly on prison population management compliance and issue notifications within 48 hours when the prison bed vacancy rate falls below 3% for 30 consecutive days. The bill expands existing population management measures to include transitioning certain inmates to nonresidential community corrections status, granting 60 additional days of earned time to inmates within 120 days of mandatory release, finalizing inmate releases within 7 days of parole board conditional approval, and expediting parole reviews for eligible inmates past their parole eligibility date. Courts and sentencing entities receiving vacancy notifications would be encouraged to consider alternatives to prison sentences when lawfully available.

Requires Pollinator Habitat Practices on State Lands

Colorado HB26-1132, introduced February 4, 2026, requires covered state agencies (State Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Personnel, and Department of Transportation) to prioritize ecoregionally specific native plant materials supporting pollinator habitats when planning vegetation projects. The bill mandates training programs for land managers and maintenance crews, integration of mowing and grazing practices based on recommendations from the 2022 DNR study under SB22-199, and sustainable site development on state capitol complex properties. Colorado State University Extension must conduct a Colorado native plant availability study and issue a report by August 1, 2031, contingent on acquiring sufficient gifts, grants, or donations. The bill has passed through three House committees (Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources; Finance; Appropriations) and awaits second reading.