Patents by Inventor John Rolin

John Rolin 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: 11182661
    Abstract: A customer relationship management system wirelessly detects presence and identity of a customer when the customer enters a business establishment. The system captures a visit pattern of the customer based on communication from the wireless device. A relevant marketing message for the customer is determined based on the customer's presence, visit pattern, identity, and location. The marketing message is delivered directly to a wireless device carried to the customer upon a subsequent entry of the customer to the business establishment. Responses of the customer (e.g., purchasing patterns, etc.) are stored for subsequent use in presenting relevant offers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Maplebear Inc.
    Inventors: Jayant Ramchandani, John Rolin
  • Publication number: 20120313761
    Abstract: A system and method manages power in a dual frequency Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder having a form factor substantially conforming to a credit card or smaller. The transponder may be conveniently carried in a customer's wallet, pocket, or purse. The transponder generally operates in a listen-only non-transmitting sleep mode in a low-power state. When entering a retail establishment, the transponder may receive an activation signal while operating in the sleep mode that activates the transponder and causes it to operate in a beacon mode. While in the beacon mode, the transponder transmits an identifier signal identifying the transponder. The identifier information may be used by a customer relationship management system within the retail establishment to provide a variety of customer management service. Subsequently, the transponder returns to the sleep mode, thereby enabling high battery life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: John Rolin, Jayant Ramchandani
  • Publication number: 20120316953
    Abstract: A customer relationship management system wirelessly detects presence and identity of a customer when the customer enters a business establishment. The system captures a visit pattern of the customer based on communication from the wireless device. A relevant marketing message for the customer is determined based on the customer's presence, visit pattern, identity, and location. The marketing message is delivered directly to a wireless device carried to the customer upon a subsequent entry of the customer to the business establishment. Responses of the customer (e.g., purchasing patterns, etc.) are stored for subsequent use in presenting relevant offers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Jayant Ramchandani, John Rolin
  • Publication number: 20120312879
    Abstract: An Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder is used in conjunction with a customer relationship system to provide a variety of customer relationship management services within a retail establishment. The transponder includes a battery-powered integrated circuit and low-frequency antenna that detect a low-frequency activation signal from an activator when a customer enters a retail establishment. The transponder also includes a high frequency antenna and oscillating crystal for transmitting an identifier signal when activated. The battery, integrated circuit, high-frequency antenna, low-frequency antenna, and crystal are embodied in a card assembly substantially conforming to a form factor of a credit card or smaller that can be carried in, for example, a wallet, purse, or pocket of a customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: John Rolin, Jayant Ramchandani
  • Patent number: 8056818
    Abstract: The circuitry introduced in this invention selectively slows down the functioning of an electronic circuit maintaining a particular state for a prolonged period of time. This circuitry is used not only to achieve the desired effect in maintaining security from electronic thieves trying to circumvent codes but also in other applications such as enabling a circuit to continue to function in the event of a brief loss of power. For example, in an RFID system, if a reader is frequency hopping, a tag loses power for as long as about 400 milliseconds when the reader changes to other frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed circuitry is used in conjunction with a destruct sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin
  • Patent number: 7737825
    Abstract: The circuitry introduced in this invention selectively slows down the functioning of an electronic circuit by maintaining a particular state for a prolonged period of time. This circuitry is used not only to achieve the desired effect in maintaining security from electronic thieves trying to circumvent codes but also in other applications such as enabling a circuit to continue to function in the event of a brief loss of power. For example, in an RFD system, if a reader is frequency hopping, a tag loses power for as long as about 400 milliseconds when the reader changes to other frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed circuitry is used in conjunction with a destruct sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin
  • Publication number: 20080197981
    Abstract: The circuitry introduced in this invention selectively slows down the functioning of an electronic circuit maintaining a particular state for a prolonged period of time. This circuitry is used not only to achieve the desired effect in maintaining security from electronic thieves trying to circumvent codes but also in other applications such as enabling a circuit to continue to function in the event of a brief loss of power. For example, in an RFID system, if a reader is frequency hopping, a tag loses power for as long as about 400 milliseconds when the reader changes to other frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed circuitry is used in conjunction with a destruct sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin
  • Patent number: 7411503
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Alien Technology
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin, Curtis Carrender
  • Patent number: 7377445
    Abstract: The circuitry introduced in this invention selectively slows down the functioning of an electronic circuit by maintaining a particular state for a prolonged period of time. This circuitry is used not only to achieve the desired effect in maintaining security from electronic thieves trying to circumvent codes but also in other applications such as enabling a circuit to continue to function in the event of a brief loss of power. For example, in an RFID system, if a reader is frequency hopping, a tag loses power for as long as about 400 milliseconds when the reader changes to other frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed circuitry is used in conjunction with a destruct sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin
  • Patent number: 7364084
    Abstract: The circuitry introduced in this invention selectively slows down the functioning of an electronic circuit by maintaining a particular state for a prolonged period of time. This circuitry is used not only to achieve the desired effect in maintaining security from electronic thieves trying to circumvent codes but also in other applications such as enabling a circuit to continue to function in the event of a brief loss of power. For example, in an RFID system, if a reader is frequency hopping, a tag loses power for as long as about 400 milliseconds when the reader changes to other frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed circuitry is used in conjunction with a destruct sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin
  • Publication number: 20070279194
    Abstract: An identification system includes a reader and one or more tags. The reader identifies tags such as radio frequency (RF) tags. The system divides a number space into n bins, wherein each bin is associated with m unique bits of the number space, and the number space contains the identification codes of the tags. A command is issued to test v bits of the number space. A response is received from a tag, wherein the response occurs when a first portion of an identification code of the tag matches the v bits of the number space, a timing of the response corresponds to a particular bin and m unique bits associated with the particular bin correspond to a second portion of the identification code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Curt Carrender, John Price, Frederick Nylander, John Rolin, Roger Stewart
  • Patent number: 7173528
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin, Curtis Carrender
  • Publication number: 20070018828
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Roger Stewart, John Rolin, Curtis Carrender
  • Publication number: 20070013484
    Abstract: An identification system includes a reader and one or more tags. The reader identifies tags such as radio frequency (RF) tags. The system divides a number space into n bins, wherein each bin is associated with m unique bits of the number space, and the number space contains the identification codes of the tags. A command is issued to test v bits of the number space. A response is received from a tag, wherein the response occurs when a first portion of an identification code of the tag matches the v bits of the number space, a timing of the response corresponds to a particular bin and m unique bits associated with the particular bin correspond to a second portion of the identification code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Curt Carrender, John Price, Frederick Nylander, John Rolin, Roger Stewart
  • Publication number: 20050242196
    Abstract: The circuitry introduced in this invention selectively slows down the functioning of an electronic circuit by maintaining a particular state for a prolonged period of time. This circuitry is used not only to achieve the desired effect in maintaining security from electronic thieves trying to circumvent codes but also in other applications such as enabling a circuit to continue to function in the event of a brief loss of power. For example, in an RFID system, if a reader is frequency hopping, a tag loses power for as long as about 400 milliseconds when the reader changes to other frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed circuitry is used in conjunction with a destruct sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Roger Stewart, John Rolin
  • Patent number: 6952157
    Abstract: A system and method are provided in which each reader may conduct concurrent, yet independent, dialog with multiple tags at the same time using two or more phase channels. The reader itself may communicate with multiple tags via the same antenna, or using multiple antennae where each antenna operates on a separate phase channel. Upon receipt from the reader of an instruction for the tags to randomize, the tags randomly choose and assign a phase channel that will be their time reference for subsequent operation, or the channel can be assigned by the reader. The tags receive reader data encoded in the clock signal from the reader, and select the reader data pertaining to the particular tag based on the selected phase channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin, Steve Smith
  • Patent number: 6942155
    Abstract: The circuitry introduced in this invention selectively slows down the functioning of an electronic circuit maintaining a particular state for a prolonged period of time. This circuitry is used not only to achieve the desired effect in maintaining security from electronic thieves trying to circumvent codes but also in other applications such as enabling a circuit to continue to function in the event of a brief loss of power. For example, in an RFID system, if a reader is frequency hopping, a tag loses power for as long as about 400 milliseconds when the reader changes to other frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed circuitry is used in conjunction with a destruct sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin
  • Patent number: 6933848
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Stewart, John Rolin, Curtis Carrender