Patents Examined by Nathan Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10679298
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, an automated system provides for automatic negotiation, benchmarking, compliance, and auditing. The system may include computing systems and devices for receiving a request for transmitting a message to a remote party, and in response, providing a customization user interface including a message template with editable and non-editable input fields as well as a document selection interface for linking documents to the message. Message recipients associated with the remote party may be identified as having security access permissions corresponding to access parameters for the linked documents. In response to receiving inputs for the editable input fields, the message template may be converted to a message transmission format for transmitting the message with the one or more linked documents and transmitted to the remote party. The message and linked documents may be stored in at least one portion of a data repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: AON SINGAPORE CENTRE FOR INNOVATION STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT PTE., LTD.
    Inventors: Bryon Gerard Ehrhart, Nichole Benson
  • Patent number: 10679201
    Abstract: Within the EMV payment specification, the use of an unattended terminal to accept a payment is allowed. Creating a device that has both the EMV level 1 (L1) and level 2 (L2) payment components combined with a virtual merchant creates a “card present” transaction for an on-line or e-commerce merchant. This device can be called a personal Point of Sale (pPOS). This specification discloses personal Point of Sale (pPOS) devices and methods that can provide for card present e-commerce transactions. In some embodiments, a pPOS device can include only a secure microcontroller function (MCF), a payment kernel, a secure element, and an interface to an external system with an EMV level 3 (L3) payment application. In some embodiments, a pPOS device can further include a reader. In some embodiments, a pPOS device can still further include a sensor switch and/or a user interface function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Todd Raymond Nuzum, Melissa A. Hunter, Derek Alan Snell, Suresh Palliparambil, Patrick Ryan Comiskey, Michael Dow
  • Patent number: 10664794
    Abstract: An object item distribution method is performed at a computer server that hosts a social networking application with which an enterprise user has an official account and an enterprise account, the method including: receiving a distribution request sent by an object item requesting user to the official account, the distribution request being generated after the object item requesting user purchases an object item by using the object item requesting user's account; determining, according to the distribution request, the object item purchased by the object item requesting user and a location of the object item requesting user; determining, according to the location of the object item requesting user, a distribution user that meets a preset condition from distribution users of the enterprise account; and sending a distribution instruction to the distribution user that meets the preset condition, the distribution instruction being used for instructing a courier of the distribution user that meets the preset condit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
    Inventors: Long Li, Li Huang
  • Patent number: 10638540
    Abstract: The systems, devices, and techniques described herein are directed to scheduling wireless communications and verifying connections, for example, in an emergency call context. An emergency call scheduler can be installed in an application layer of user equipment to manage call scheduling. During an emergency situation, the emergency call scheduler can attempt to establish a communication based on a priority of network technologies (e.g., LTE, 4G, 3G, 2G) or a base station being in a subscriber network. As a call is established, a connection may be verified based at least in part on satisfying one or more handshake protocols and based at least in part on transmitting or receiving voice and/or data packets. Based on a location of the user equipment, or as a network topology is updated, a centralized server can update the emergency call scheduler to change the call scheduling priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Mesut Guven, Ming Shan Kwok, Hsin-Fu Henry Chiang
  • Patent number: 10621560
    Abstract: Cannabis gifts can be transmitted from a first mobile computing device to a second mobile computing device that run an application program. The mobile computing devices communicate with a server and data for the system users is stored on a database. When cannabis products are gifted, a unique token generated by the server and a gift message is transmitted to the second mobile computing device. The user can go to a cannabis provider and redeem the gift credit by showing the user interface to a staff member of the cannabis provider. The server can record the unique token for the cannabis gift as being used and records the value of the cannabis gift with the food or beverage provider. The server forwards payment for the value of the cannabis gift to the cannabis provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: PintPass, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Rickert
  • Patent number: 10616719
    Abstract: A system utilizing an Adventure Rescue Locator app and a Buddy app allows an adventurer to communicate his or her location throughout an adventure. The ARL app can provide quick and simple check-in messages that transmit location and other information and build a database of known “good” locations from which an adventurer is able to communicate via text, as well as known “not good” locations. The apps can share such information with a wide user-base, thus making the location information available to others. The app can serve to display the adventurer's check-in locations on a map; alert that the adventurer has an adventure in progress; keep track of the time the adventurer is planning on returning home and alert if the Adventurer fails to arrive; auto-confirm check-in texts with the ARL app; etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventor: David Thomas
  • Patent number: 10593166
    Abstract: Method, device, and computer readable medium for generating haptically enabled messages. One disclosed method comprises the steps of receiving a user generated input, mapping the user generated input to a predetermined haptic feedback, assigning a haptic feedback command to the predetermined haptic feedback, inserting the haptic feedback command into a text message, and sending the text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Pedro Gregorio, Jason D. Fleming, Natasha M. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 10586205
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein for monitoring stock information in a shopping space. A system for monitoring stock information in a shopping space comprises: a support structure configured to hold a plurality of items in the shopping space, a sound emitter device configured to produce a sound in response to a movement of at least one of the support structure and an item placed on the support structure, and a sound sensor configured to capture a sound produced by the sound emitter device and transmit the sound produced by the sound emitter device to a stock tracking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Taylor, Aaron J. Vasgaard, Nicholaus A. Jones, Matthew A. Jones
  • Patent number: 10573115
    Abstract: A cloud coin slot device includes a panel device, a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The panel device includes a screen, a plurality of seven-segment displays, a plurality of control keys, and an enter key. The screen is used for displaying an identifier image. The plurality of seven-segment displays is used for displaying a payment value. The plurality of control keys is used for inputting the payment value. The enter key is used for confirming the payment value. The processor is coupled to the panel device for processing payment data. The memory is coupled to the processor for saving data of a payment program. The transceiver is coupled to the processor for receiving the payment data transmitted from a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: LEADOT INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventor: Justin Wang
  • Patent number: 10565576
    Abstract: A system provides for a self-checkout terminal with various components. A receiver receives shopping data including prices of items that a customer has physically acquired or placed in a cart. A payment logic receives credential information associated with a monetary account for paying for the items. A message logic creates checkout data that includes data representing the collection of purchase items. A transmitter transmits the credential information to an account network for authentication and the receiver receives a response indicating if the monetary account is valid. The payment logic/self-checkout terminal indicates to the customer that a payment using the monetary account for the purchase items is authorized or not. When authorized, an authorization is received at the self-checkout terminal before the customer arrives at the terminal and the self-checkout terminal causes a payment transaction to be executed to provide for self-checkout using the monetary account without assistance by another person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
    Inventors: Devon Watson, David William Kuchenski, Alex Klein, Matt Zaugg, Brian Block, Richard Harris, Robert Konecny
  • Patent number: 10549978
    Abstract: Beverage shrinkage monitoring technology is disclosed and is used to reduce beverage shrinkage at bars, clubs, restaurants, and other establishments that dispense beverages. Bottles are topped with wireless (RFID/Bluetooth/WiFi) enabled liquor/wine nozzles that only pour when handled by appropriate staff members who wear RFID wristbands or bracelets. The wireless (RFID/Bluetooth/WiFi) enabled liquor/wine nozzles also report sales to a point of sales (POS) system. Beer taps include proprietary wireless (RFID/Bluetooth/WiFi) enabled beer tap adapters that are mounted to or embedded in the beer taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventor: Nick Moezidis
  • Patent number: 10547555
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for reducing Wi-Fi scanning using cellular network to Wi-Fi access point mapping information. In one exemplary method, a mobile communications device receives Wi-Fi and cellular signals and creates or obtains a database of mappings between Wi-Fi access points and cellular network information. The mobile communications device detects signals from base stations in the cellular network. The mobile communications device determines at least one recommended access point from the data derived from the database. The mobile communications device determines whether any Wi-Fi signals are present. In response to determining that at least one Wi-Fi signal is present, the mobile communications device attempts to connect to the at least one recommended access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Kyunghan Lee, Injong Rhee, Nithyananthan Poosamani
  • Patent number: 10515353
    Abstract: A system includes a service provider device and a point of sale (POS) device. A session between a user device and the POS device is established. An authentication request associated with the user device is provided via a user interface of the POS device. Subsequent to an authentication of information, responsive to the authentication request, the POS device receives funding instrument (FI) proxy information corresponding to FIs, which is unusable to identify the FIs by a merchant. A selectable representation corresponding to the FI proxy information is provided via the user interface. Responsive to receiving an indication of a selected member from the selectable representation, information for the selected member is sent. The service provider device determines that the session corresponds to an account associated with the user device and the merchant, and performs a transaction for the session using a first FI that corresponds to the selected member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: PayPal, Inc.
    Inventors: Srivathsan Narasimhan, Eric Byungho Min, Michael Charles Todasco, Cheng Tian, Satish Narayan Govindarajan
  • Patent number: 10489746
    Abstract: A method for managing vendor services provided at an employer service location includes receiving information pertaining to a vehicle related item or service, wherein the information pertains to a key associated with an employee vehicle pertaining to the vehicle related item or service. The method also includes scheduling a time for the vendor to provide the vehicle related item or service at an employer location based at least in part on availability of an employee and availability of the vendor. The method also includes transmitting a first notification to a device associated with the employee based at least in part on a first scanning of the asset. The method also includes transmitting a second notification to the device associated with the employee based at least in part on a second scanning of the asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Espresa, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Shubat
  • Patent number: 10482445
    Abstract: A checkout system includes at least one input apparatus and at least one controller. The input apparatus receives an input indicating that a plurality of transactions are consecutively performed by a single customer. The input apparatus receives input of merchandise information for the plurality of transactions. The input apparatus also receives an input of a user code corresponding to a service. The at least one controller generates payment information indicating a total amount to be paid for each transaction of the plurality of transactions based on the input merchandise information. The user code is applied in connection with payment processing for each of the plurality of transactions without requiring the user code to be input more than once. Payment processing is performed with respect to each of the plurality of transactions based on the corresponding payment information, in accordance with a payment operation of the single customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Gotanda, Akiko Susaki
  • Patent number: 10482447
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a recognition system has an imaging device, a storage device, and a first processor. The first processor extracts a feature amount of an article contained in image data outputted by the imaging device. The first processor recognizes a commodity to which the detected article corresponds, based on similarities between feature amounts for collation of a first commodity and a second commodity stored in the storage device and the extracted feature amount, and selects the recognized commodity from the storage device, as the commodity to which the detected article corresponds, provided that the recognized corresponding commodity is not the first commodity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuta Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10467609
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to maintain an inventory of products within a product carrier. The product carrier utilizes a radio frequency (RF) blocking material and a RF reader disposed within an interior of the product carrier to identify products placed therein. The product carrier can further include an indicator on an exterior thereof to provide an indication regarding a status of the products within the product carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Jimmie R. Clark, Christopher S. Johnson, Subodh K. Pandey
  • Patent number: 10467867
    Abstract: Technologies for conducting a sales transaction on a mobile point-of-sale computing device include displaying a branded background image associated with a business entity conducting the sales transaction on a display of the mobile point-of-sale computing device and displaying a point-of-sale user interface overlaid on the branded background image. The point-of-sale user interface includes several semi-transparent display windows. A portion of the branded background image is visible through each of the semi-transparent display windows. A portion of the branded background image covered by at least one of the semitransparent display windows is blurred to increase the visibility of information included in the blurred semitransparent display window. Technologies for updating inventory items using tag information are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: LIGHTSPEED POS INC.
    Inventor: Dax Dasilva
  • Patent number: 10438456
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device, a method and a system for issuing real-time receipts, the device being connected to a point-of-sale terminal sending it a command to print data representative of the receipt. The device is further connected to a printer, in such a way as to allow the command to print the data representative of the receipt to be transferred to the printer. The device makes it possible to convert the data representative of the receipt, originating from the point-of-sale terminal, into a digital file representative of the receipt. The device then transmits the digital file representative of the receipt, previously associated with an identification number, to a remote storage network accessible via a mobile telephone network of a mobile terminal with which it communicates according to a contactless communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: DEEWEE SAS
    Inventor: Ruoyun Mari
  • Patent number: 10438165
    Abstract: A system and method that generates a planogram from a realogram is disclosed. The method includes receiving, from an image processing module, a realogram, the realogram including an image and information about a set of items recognized in the image, generating a bounding box containing the set of recognized items, identifying a subset of the set of recognized items corresponding to a shelf, determining a location of each gap of a number of gaps on the shelf, determining a physical width of each gap of the number of gaps, and generating, from the realogram, a planogram based on the bounding box, the set of recognized items, the location, and the physical width of each of the number of gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Roland Findlay