Patents by Inventor Dean Frederick Herring
Dean Frederick Herring has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20150339726Abstract: A system, computer program product, and method for advertising that include coupling a body-worn sensor device associated with an article of clothing to a receiver, and retrieving data from the sensor device. The retrieved data includes one or more measures indicating a state of wear of the article of clothing. The method further includes generating an advertisement based on the retrieved data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS CORPORATIONInventors: Dean Frederick Herring, Brad Matthew Johnson, Jason Monsak Chirakansakcharoen, Jeffrey John Smith
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Publication number: 20150324560Abstract: A method authenticates a user of an electronic device located in and affiliated with a retail environment. The method includes prohibiting certain operations from being performed on the electronic device in a locked state. The method also includes, responsive to a user authenticating himself or herself through an authentication process, allowing those certain operations to be performed on the electronic device in an unlocked state. The method further entails configuring an extent to which the authentication process required for authentication at any given time is abbreviated. The method performs this configuring depending on whether operations performed on the electronic device at or within a defined interval before the given time are included in a defined list of operations. This defined list includes operations performed in the course of business associated with the retail environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Smith, Brad M. Johnson, Randall C. Humes, Dean Frederick Herring
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Publication number: 20150324780Abstract: A method authenticates a user of an electronic device located in and affiliated with a retail environment. The method includes prohibiting certain operations from being performed on the electronic device in a locked state. The method also includes, responsive to a user authenticating himself or herself through an authentication process, allowing those certain operations to be performed on the electronic device in an unlocked state. The method further entails configuring an extent to which the authentication process required for authentication at any given time is abbreviated. The method performs this configuring depending on a level of customer activity detected within the retail environment with which the electronic device is affiliated and in which the electronic device is located.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Smith, Brad M. Johnson, Randall C. Humes, Dean Frederick Herring
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Publication number: 20150269549Abstract: System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation comprising receiving, via a computer network connection, information for a product scan indicating that a product has been scanned for purchase by a mobile checkout application executing on a mobile device, and storing, in a computer-readable storage medium, a plurality of attributes describing the product scan and identification information of an image capture device in the retail store configured to capture video of the product scan.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS CORPORATIONInventors: Dean Frederick HERRING, Jeffrey John SMITH
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Publication number: 20150262216Abstract: System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation, the operation comprising receiving, via a computer system interface, a request to revive an expired coupon, responsive to the request, determining that a condition for reviving the expired coupon has been accepted, and storing, in a computer readable storage medium, an indication that the revived coupon is valid for use.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS CORPORA TIONInventors: Bilal AZIZ, Susan Winter BROSNAN, Dean Frederick HERRING, David Christopher KLAGES
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Publication number: 20150262115Abstract: Embodiments disclose an interactive order fulfillment system, as well as a corresponding method and computer-readable storage medium, in which indications of order fulfillment status are displayed onto a surface of a receptacle used for fulfilling the order. The interactive order fulfillment system may operate as a virtual receipt with which an employee may interact to more efficiently fulfill the order.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS CORPORATIONInventors: Jon A. Meulenberg, Monsak Jason Chirakansakcharoen, Dean Frederick Herring, Kenneth B. Hammer
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Publication number: 20150261314Abstract: System, method, and computer program product for performing an operation, the operation comprising operating a tablet in a work mode when the tablet is oriented according to a first orientation, operating the tablet in an alternate mode when the tablet is oriented according to a second orientation, and outputting a content for display on the tablet based on a current operating mode of the tablet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS CORPORATIONInventors: Dean Frederick HERRING, Brad Matthew JOHNSON, Jeffrey John SMITH, Seth Thomas TEEPLES
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Publication number: 20150241025Abstract: To provide a user with descriptive images for each function performed by a button, the embodiments described herein use a transforming graphical expression that presents different images depending on the particular function the button is currently performing. For example, if the button is used to increase speaker volume, the graphical expression may display plus sign, but if the button is currently being used to navigate through a display menu, the graphical expression may be transformed into an arrow to indicate the direction a selection element in the menu moves if the button is activated. Thus, as the current function of the button changes, the graphical expression presented to the user also changes. In this manner, the same button may be used to perform multiple functions while presenting to a user a customized graphical expression indicating the current function of the button.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS CORPORATIONInventors: David John STEINER, John David LANDERS, JR., Dean Frederick HERRING, Brad Matthew JOHNSON
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Publication number: 20140344090Abstract: A Point of Sale (POS) terminal is operative to obtain annotation data from a customer or sales associate, and to associate the annotation data with an item in a list of the customer's purchases. The annotation data may comprise graphic annotations input by the customer or a sales associate on a touch screen display of the POS terminal. The graphic annotation is overlaid on an image of a receipt, such that it is associated with the proper items, prior to printing, e-mailing, or otherwise transferring the receipt to the customer. The annotation data may comprise text extracted from the graphic annotation and associated with an item. The annotation data may comprise a prepared graphic, audio, or media file selected by the sales associate at the POS terminal; the file is rendered when the customer displays the receipt image file received by wireless transmission or email.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Dean Frederick Herring, Bradley T. Marchesseault, Brad M. Johnson, Jeffrey Smith
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Patent number: 8172474Abstract: A writing instrument is releasably attached to a tether. The writing instrument has a hollow body. A locking cap assembly is configured to be coupled to a tether. The locking cap assembly is further configured to detach from the hollow body of the writing instrument when a force is applied to the tether. The locking cap assembly is inserted into an end of the hollow body of the writing instrument. The locking cap assembly comprises a compressive locking cap. The compressive locking cap comprises a compression fastener, a cap, and a nut. The compression fastener and cap have a hole and one end of the tether passes completely through the compressive locking cap through the hole. The nut is coupled to the end of the tether that passed completely through the compressive locking cap.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Wesley Dale Dickover, Dean Frederick Herring, Philip M. Woodward
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Patent number: 8128298Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide for a method and apparatus for moving a cover of a device relative to a base of the device to provide access to an interior space. An indication to open a cover coupled to a base is received. Responsive to receiving the indication, the cover is sequentially pivoted around a first pivot and a second pivot to provide access to the interior space while maintaining the cover within a footprint of the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Roger Guy Fowler, Dean Frederick Herring
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Patent number: 7697299Abstract: Apparatus and method for securing a heat sink to a heat-generating device on a circuit board. The apparatus clamps onto the heating-generating device and the circuit board in a manner that avoids bending of the circuit board. The apparatus includes a retention module having a plurality of retention features that extend through openings in the circuit board disposed about the perimeter of the heat-generating device, such as a processor. The apparatus also includes a heat sink having a heat sink base for contacting the heat-generating device in order to dissipate heat produced by the device. The heat sink is selectively securable to the retention features of the retention module using levers, such as a wire module, having a spring clip to engage the retention features and clamp the heat sink and retention module together.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Norman Bruce Desrosiers, Michael Dudley French, Jr., Dean Frederick Herring, Daniel Paul Kelaher, Paul Andrew Wormsbecher
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Publication number: 20090176399Abstract: A connector with a dismount latch configured to separate unlatching from cable separation and method of release. A connector includes a housing having an interconnect end and a rear end, the front end configured for interfacing with a reciprocal connector in a linear motion to engage and disengage the reciprocal connector. A latch is held by the housing, wherein the latch includes support arms extending at the rear end of the housing and engaging ends proximate the interconnect end for maintaining the housing relative to the reciprocal connector when in an engaged position. An actuator is rotatably mounted within support arms of the latch for translating a force transverse to the direction of the linear motion and applying the translated force to the latch to move the engaging ends of the latch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Norman Bruce Desrosiers, Dean Frederick Herring, Daniel Paul Kelaher, Paul Andrew Wormsbecher
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Patent number: 7549886Abstract: A cable trough comprising a rigid trough securing a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug. The cable connector plug has a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device. The trough secures the connector plug in axial alignment with the trough and includes a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough. An elongate wire extends within the trough and is coupled between the release lever and the pull tab. Accordingly, the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the connector plug to the blind mate connector. The release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Dean Frederick Herring, Paul Andrew Wormsbecher
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Patent number: 7546943Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for positioning a printed circuit board component. A clamping member applies a clamping force to a levering member linked to a positioning member. The levering member biases the positioning member toward a printed circuit board in response to the clamping force. The positioning member positions the printed circuit board and a component disposed on the printed circuit board in response to the positioning member bias. In one embodiment, the positioning member positions the component to contact a thermal device.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Richard M. Barina, Dean Frederick Herring, John Paul Scavuzzo, Paul Andrew Wormsbecher
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Publication number: 20090148223Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide for a method and apparatus for moving a cover of a device relative to a base of the device to provide access to an interior space. An indication to open a cover coupled to a base is received. Responsive to receiving the indication, the cover is sequentially pivoted around a first pivot and a second pivot to provide access to the interior space while maintaining the cover within a footprint of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Roger Guy Fowler, Dean Frederick Herring
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Publication number: 20090142126Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide for a method, system and apparatus for releasably attaching a writing instrument to a tether. The writing instrument has a hollow body. A locking cap assembly is configured to be coupled to a tether. The locking cap assembly is further configured to detach from the hollow body of the writing instrument when a force is applied to the tether. The locking cap assembly is inserted into an end of the hollow body of the writing instrument. The locking cap assembly comprises a compressive locking cap. The compressive locking cap comprises a compression fastener, a cap, and a nut. The compression fastener and cap have a hole and one end of the tether passes completely through the compressive locking cap through the hole. The nut is coupled to the end of the tether that passed completely through the compressive locking cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Wesley Dale Dickover, Dean Frederick Herring, Philip M. Woodward
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Publication number: 20090110462Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a method and apparatus for stabilizing printable media in a printer. The apparatus includes a platen for conveying printable media through a conveyance path. The apparatus also includes a set of guides for curving the printable media to form a stabilized printable media, wherein curving the printable media comprises decreasing a distance between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge of the printable media.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Stacy Leigh Arrington, Richard Hunter Harris, Dean Frederick Herring, Robert Andrew Myers
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Publication number: 20090103270Abstract: Apparatus and method for securing a heat sink to a heat-generating device on a circuit board. The apparatus clamps onto the heating-generating device and the circuit board in a manner that avoids bending of the circuit board. The apparatus includes a retention module having a plurality of retention features that extend through openings in the circuit board disposed about the perimeter of the heat-generating device, such as a processor. The apparatus also includes a heat sink having a heat sink base for contacting the heat-generating device in order to dissipate heat produced by the device. The heat sink is selectively securable to the retention features of the retention module using levers, such as a wire module, having a spring clip to engage the retention features and clamp the heat sink and retention module together.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Norman Bruce Desrosiers, Michael Dudley French, JR., Dean Frederick Herring, Daniel Paul Kelaher, Paul Andrew Wormsbecher
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Patent number: 7518868Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for efficient heat dissipation. The apparatus for efficient heat dissipation is provided with a compliant heat pipe configured to conform to adjacent surfaces under a compressive load, a compression member configured to apply the compressive load to the compliant heat pipe, and wherein the compliant heat pipe conforms to the surface of the compression member and the surface of a heat source under the compressive load. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would provide efficient heat dissipation through effective thermo-coupling between the heat source and the heat pipe. Additionally, the apparatus, system, and method would facilitate the application of a load to thermal grease for further improvements on thermo-coupling between the heat source and the heat pipe.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Timothy Samuel Farrow, Dean Frederick Herring