Patents by Inventor Mark Shafer

Mark Shafer 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: 11763027
    Abstract: Methods and systems for rules-based data access are described. In some embodiments, a request for access to customer data by a requesting entity is received; the data is categorized; the person's preferences with respect to allowing access to data are compiled; a requesting entity is determined; and the providing entity that collected each requested data item is determined. Data shareability rules are evaluated based on the policies that regulate the access of the customer data and the requesting entity, and the customer data is provided to the requesting entity according to the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Larry Wayne Clark, Patricia A. Rosas, Mark Shafer, Linda Giessel King, Steven Wayne Meier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11295033
    Abstract: Methods and systems for rules-based data access are described. In some embodiments, a request for access to customer data by a requesting entity is received; the data is categorized; the person's preferences with respect to allowing access to data are compiled; a requesting entity is determined; and the providing entity that collected each requested data item is determined. Data shareability rules are evaluated based on the policies that regulate the access of the customer data and the requesting entity, and the customer data is provided to the requesting entity according to the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: Larry Wayne Clark, Patricia A. Rosas, Mark Shafer, Linda Giessel King, Steven Wayne Meier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10829018
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10, 100, 200, 300, 400) includes a seat base (14,114, 214, 314, 414) a backrest (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) with a seat base and backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest. An armrest (16, 216, 216, 316, 416) is connected to the vehicle seat at an armrest to vehicle seat support connection (20,120, 220, 320, 420). An armrest linkage system changes an inclination of the armrest relative to the backrest upon changes in inclination of the backrest relative to the seat base, over a pivot range of motion of the backrest relative to the seat base. This may maintain the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor or may change the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.รก r.l.
    Inventors: Brent Burton, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Mark Shafer, Michael J. Kapusky
  • Patent number: 10467430
    Abstract: Methods and systems for rules-based data access are described. In some embodiments, a request for access to customer data by a requesting entity is received; the data is categorized; the person's preferences with respect to allowing access to data are compiled; a requesting entity is determined; and the providing entity that collected each requested data item is determined. Data shareability rules are evaluated based on the policies that regulate the access of the customer data and the requesting entity, and the customer data is provided to the requesting entity according to the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Larry Wayne Clark, Patricia A. Rosas, Mark Shafer, Linda Giessel King, Steven Wayne Meier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190135151
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10, 100, 200, 300, 400) includes a seat base (14,114, 214, 314, 414) a backrest (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) with a seat base and backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest. An armrest (16, 216, 216, 316, 416) is connected to the vehicle seat at an armrest to vehicle seat support connection (20,120, 220, 320, 420). An armrest linkage system changes an inclination of the armrest relative to the backrest upon changes in inclination of the backrest relative to the seat base, over a pivot range of motion of the backrest relative to the seat base. This may maintain the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor or may change the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Brent BURTON, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Mark SHAFER, Michael J. KAPUSKY
  • Patent number: 9830473
    Abstract: Methods and systems for rules-based data access are described. In some embodiments, a request for access to customer data by a requesting entity is received; the data is categorized; the person's preferences with respect to allowing access to data are compiled; a requesting entity is determined; and the providing entity that collected each requested data item is determined. Data shareability rules are evaluated based on the policies that regulate the access of the customer data and the requesting entity, and the customer data is provided to the requesting entity according to the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
    Inventors: Larry Wayne Clark, Patricia A. Rosas, Mark Shafer, Linda Giessel King, Steven Wayne Meier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160239794
    Abstract: According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for monitoring articles, such as in a commercial environment. In one aspect, the invention can be a system comprising: a monitoring device configured for attachment to the article, the monitoring device including a display configured to display a price of the article; a server; and a router configured to maintain a wireless communications connection between the monitoring device and the server; wherein the monitoring device is configured to: receive a communication including a price change message; and modify a stored price in response to receiving the price change message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Mark SHAFER, Michael MERCIER, Lee H. ECKERT, James Gordon WYATT
  • Patent number: 9171439
    Abstract: A security apparatus and method for protecting merchandise items is presented. In the preferred embodiment, a merchandise security device includes a housing with an access door that has an open position and a closed position, a primary power source, a secondary power source and alarm system. The alarm system determines when a voltage of the primary power source drops below a threshold value. When the voltage drops below the threshold value, the alarm system switches to the secondary power source for its power. When the alarm system is in a standby mode, it will not generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source. However, when the alarm system has not been placed into a standby mode, the alarm system will generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source and the access door is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Yeager, Lee H. Eckert, Gary Mark Shafer
  • Patent number: 8941495
    Abstract: According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are provided for implementing a wireless shelf pusher activity detection system. One example apparatus is a monitoring device for monitoring theft or sales activity associated with a product pusher device. The monitoring device may include a sensor configured to detect movement of a pusher member of the product pusher device, a wireless communications interface, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive at least one sensor signal from the sensor indicating movement of the pusher member, determine a product movement activity type based on characteristics of the at least one sensor signal, and generate, for transmission via the wireless communications interface, a pusher activity message indicating the product movement activity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Wiese, David Christianson, Mark Shafer
  • Patent number: 8941471
    Abstract: A radiofrequency identification (RFID) multiplexer, which may be in a network, interprets an RF signal from an RFED reader as RFE) tag interrogation data. A single cable directs an RF signal from the RFID reader and RF control signals and/or RF power through the multiplexer. An RF sampler may be coupled to the cable; and an RF detector detects the RF signal from the cable via the RF sampler. A data decoder decodes and interprets the RF signal as the RFID tag interrogation data and forwards the RFID tag interrogation data to a control logic circuit as a MUX channel-change command. The logic circuit and decoder may be combined in a microcontroller, and an RF backscatter modulator coupled to the cable enables reverse communication with the RFID reader to determine whether another RFID multiplexer is coupled to the RFID multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Gary Mark Shafer
  • Patent number: 8935804
    Abstract: Methods and systems for rules-based data access are described. In some embodiments, a request for access to customer data by a requesting entity is received; the data is categorized; the person's preferences with respect to allowing access to data are compiled; a requesting entity is determined; and the providing entity that collected each requested data item is determined. Data shareability rules are evaluated based on the policies that regulate the access of the customer data, the customer preferences, the requesting entity, and the providing entity; and the customer data is provided to the requesting entity according to the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Larry Wayne Clark, Patricia A. Rosas, Mark Shafer, Linda Giessel King, Steven Wayne Meier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140351098
    Abstract: According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for monitoring articles, such as in a commercial environment. In one aspect, the invention can be a system comprising: a monitoring device configured for attachment to the article, the monitoring device including a display configured to display a price of the article; a server; and a router configured to maintain a wireless communications connection between the monitoring device and the server; wherein the monitoring device is configured to: receive a communication including a price change message; and modify a stored price in response to receiving the price change message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Gary Mark SHAFER, Michael MERCIER, Lee H. ECKERT, James Gordon WYATT
  • Patent number: 8858544
    Abstract: A surgical instrument guide for facilitating treatment of a target tissue is provided. The surgical instrument guide may be placed between two groups of tissue such that a first group of tissue is cut and a second group of tissue is protected from being cut. The surgical instrument guide may lift tissue and slide tissue along a surface so that a target tissue may be cut to a desired depth more easily during a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument guide may be releasably attachable to a surgical instrument or integrally formed therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Domain Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. McNally, Kim H. Manwaring, Mark Stringham, Mark Shafer
  • Patent number: 8612040
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a derivative view from graphical data which is derived from native application data. The native application data may be extracted from a graphical application, such as a CAD application, converted to an intermediate or derivative format, and a derivative view of the graphic information produced by the original, native application is provided from the intermediate format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: SAP America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas, Paul Delaney, Mark Shafer, David Dauncey, Patrick Ashby
  • Patent number: 8508367
    Abstract: Provided are embodiments of configurable monitoring devices, methods, systems, computer readable storage media and other means for dynamically transitioning the functionality, roles and/or modes of operation of networked devices. In some examples, the dynamic configuration of the configurable monitoring device may be accomplished wirelessly and used to monitor and track the location of retail products as well as thwart theft of the retail products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Mark Shafer
  • Patent number: 8452868
    Abstract: According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for monitoring articles, such as in a commercial environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Mark Shafer, Michael Mercier, Lee H. Eckert, James Gordon Wyatt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8378826
    Abstract: Exemplary systems, methods and other means for providing a key device that may be used with a monitoring system are discussed herein. The key device may be configured to communicate with one or more other devices, silence an alarm, commission a tag, decommission a tag, unlock a tag from an item, among other things. The key device may include rules that permit particular functionality based on, for example, time and/or location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mercier, James Gordon Wyatt, Jr., Lee H. Eckert, Gary Mark Shafer
  • Patent number: 8378823
    Abstract: An anti-theft security system that utilizes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) beacon that emits an electromagnetic field that a corresponding security tag transponder detects in determining whether to set off onboard transponder alarms or to remain dormant. The EAS beacon is a self-contained beacon that can be easily installed at any desired location and can utilize local utility power or revert to battery power. Among other things, this avoids the large installation, calibration and maintenance costs and tasks of conventional EAS pedestals. The EAS beacon includes coil panels that are secured to an elongated housing that can be flexed to avoid or minimize damage should something or someone come into contact with the panels. An audible/visible alarm is activated when such flexing or tampering occurs. A passive infrared detector is provided to reduce power consumption when the EAS beacon is operating on battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Eckert, Brian Vincent Conti, Gary Mark Shafer, Brian Wiese
  • Publication number: 20130009770
    Abstract: A security apparatus and method for protecting merchandise items is presented. In the preferred embodiment, a merchandise security device includes a housing with an access door that has an open position and a closed position, a primary power source, a secondary power source and alarm system. The alarm system determines when a voltage of the primary power source drops below a threshold value. When the voltage drops below the threshold value, the alarm system switches to the secondary power source for its power. When the alarm system is in a standby mode, it will not generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source. However, when the alarm system has not been placed into a standby mode, the alarm system will generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source and the access door is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Yeager, Lee H. Eckert, Gary Mark Shafer
  • Patent number: D678794
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee H. Eckert, Brian Vincent Conti, Gary Mark Shafer, Brian Wiese, David P. Christianson