Patents by Inventor Gerald L. Karel

Gerald L. Karel 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).

  • Patent number: 6646554
    Abstract: A combination tag is disclosed, including a magnetically-responsive element and a radio frequency-responsive element. In one embodiment, the magnetically-responsive element also functions as an antenna for the radio frequency-responsive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward D. Goff, Gerald L. Karel, Chester Piotrowski, Robert A. Sainati, Ching-Long Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030083899
    Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems
  • Publication number: 20030069815
    Abstract: An improved method of keeping track of time is provided, and specifically an improved method of tracking the amount of time spent by an individual working on a project. The person scans an RFID tag associated with a file using an RFID reader, and a software program begins counting time and associating it with the matter with which the file is related. When the person scans the RFID tag again, the time is stopped, and the elapsed time is billed to a client in regard to the matter associated with the file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Eisenberg, Mitchell B. Grunes, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse
  • Patent number: 6542070
    Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transaction related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems
  • Patent number: 6486780
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Publication number: 20020167406
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 6448886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Publication number: 20020113707
    Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting, tagging, searching for, retrieving, inventorying, and transferring evidence by law enforcement officials are described, in which RFID tags associated with pieces of evidence can be interrogated to assist in locating information relating to that evidence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mitchell B. Grunes, Gerald L. Karel, Peter L. Olson
  • Patent number: 6424262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 6369709
    Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Thomas J. Brace, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems, Ronald C. Wurz
  • Publication number: 20020017564
    Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal(i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Thomas J. Brace, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems, Ronald C. Wurz
  • Publication number: 20020008623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Publication number: 20010013830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 6232870
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 6154137
    Abstract: A combination tag is disclosed, including a magnetically-responsive element and a radio frequency-responsive element. In one embodiment, the magnetically-responsive element also functions as an antenna for the radio frequency-responsive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward D. Goff, Gerald L. Karel, Chester Piotrowski, Robert A. Sainati, Ching-Long Tsai