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).
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Patent number: 6646554Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 14, 2000Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Edward D. Goff, Gerald L. Karel, Chester Piotrowski, Robert A. Sainati, Ching-Long Tsai
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Publication number: 20030083899Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20030069815Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2001Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Peter M. Eisenberg, Mitchell B. Grunes, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse
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Patent number: 6542070Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 6486780Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20020167406Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 6448886Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20020113707Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Mitchell B. Grunes, Gerald L. Karel, Peter L. Olson
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Patent number: 6424262Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 6369709Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 1998Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20020017564Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20020008623Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20010013830Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: August 16, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 6232870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 6154137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Edward D. Goff, Gerald L. Karel, Chester Piotrowski, Robert A. Sainati, Ching-Long Tsai