Patents by Inventor Merrill Brooks Smith

Merrill Brooks Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20220391882
    Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of conducting transactions associated with a transit card. A method of conducting transactions may be conducted between a processor and a transit processor. Steps may include receiving a redemption request and determining if it is a pre-authorization request or a redemption; if the redemption request is a pre-authorization request, determining if the account is authorized for a particular transit type. If the account is authorized, communicating approval to the transit processor. If the account is not authorized communicating denial. If the redemption request is a redemption: determining if account value is sufficient to pay the redemption amount; if not, denying and if so approving the transaction and deducting the amount, and determining if the account value is below a pre-determined threshold for a particular transit types, and if so, updating the status of the account at a data store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Phillip Graves, Merrill Brooks Smith, Phil M. Chakiris, Michael Parlotto
  • Patent number: 11055686
    Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of conducting transactions associated with a transit card. A method of conducting transactions may be conducted between a processor and a transit processor. Steps may include receiving a redemption request and determining if it is a pre-authorization request or a redemption; if the redemption request is a pre-authorization request, determining if the account is authorized for a particular transit type. If the account is authorized, communicating approval to the transit processor. If the account is not authorized communicating denial. If the redemption request is a redemption: determining if account value is sufficient to pay the redemption amount; if not, denying and if so approving the transaction and deducting the amount, and determining if the account value is below a pre-determined threshold for a particular transit types, and if so, updating the status of the account at a data store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: E2INTERACTIVE, INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Graves, Merrill Brooks Smith, Phil M Chakiris, Michael Parlotto
  • Patent number: 10834268
    Abstract: A method of adding a value to a customer account is provided. A request to add a value to a customer account of a customer is received from a point of sale terminal. The request may comprise value identification data associated with the value and account identification data associated with the customer account. The customer account identification data may be entered at the point of sale. The request may be associated with a purchase of the value. The value may be caused to be added to the customer account. During subsequent value purchase transactions, additional value may be added to the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventors: Phil M Chakiris, Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves
  • Patent number: 10728398
    Abstract: A method of adding a value to a customer account is provided. A request to add a value to a customer account of a customer is received from a point of sale terminal. The request may comprise value identification data associated with the value and account identification data associated with the customer account. The customer account identification data may be entered at the point of sale. The request may be associated with a purchase of the value. The value may be caused to be added to the customer account. During subsequent value purchase transactions, additional value may be added to the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: E2INTERACTIVE, INC.
    Inventors: Phil M Chakiris, Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves
  • Patent number: 10509924
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale (POS). The device may be identified by an indicia and activation may occur following purchase of the device. The method may include the steps of receiving at a central processor from the POS the indicia identifying the device purchased at the POS; enabling by the central processor a feature or functionality of the device or use of the device; and conveying to the device information material to the feature, functionality, or use. The system may include a central processor that activates the device. The central processor may include various interfaces with the POS, provider, and device, as well as a database with records related to the device and an activation processor for determining if activation is appropriate, activating the device, and sending information material to the feature, functionality, or use to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: E2INTERACTIVE, INC.
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves, Phil M Chakiris
  • Publication number: 20190297194
    Abstract: A method of adding a value to a customer account is provided. A request to add a value to a customer account of a customer is received from a point of sale terminal. The request may comprise value identification data associated with the value and account identification data associated with the customer account. The customer account identification data may be entered at the point of sale. The request may be associated with a purchase of the value. The value may be caused to be added to the customer account. During subsequent value purchase transactions, additional value may be added to the account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Phil M Chakiris, Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves
  • Patent number: 10423867
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a card and package assembly and methods of making the same. Card and package assemblies in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include a package, a data card, the data card packaged at least in part within the package, and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card. Methods of packaging a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include steps of manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card, manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package, determining an activation indicia, packaging the data card at least in part within the package, and printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: e2interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks Smith, Chandilyn Smith
  • Publication number: 20190147199
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale (POS). The device may be identified by an indicia and activation may occur following purchase of the device. The method may include the steps of receiving at a central processor from the PUS the indicia identifying the device purchased at the POS; enabling by the central processor a feature or functionality of the device or use of the device; and conveying to the device information material to the feature, functionality, or use. The system may include a central processor that activates the device. The central processor may include various interfaces with the POS, provider, and device, as well as a database with records related to the device and an activation processor for determining if activation is appropriate, activating the device, and sending information material to the feature, functionality, or use to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves, Phil M. Chakiris
  • Publication number: 20190007561
    Abstract: A method of adding a value to a customer account is provided. A request to add a value to a customer account of a customer is received from a point of sale terminal. The request may comprise value identification data associated with the value and account identification data associated with the customer account. The customer account identification data may be entered at the point of sale. The request may be associated with a purchase of the value. The value may be caused to be added to the customer account. During subsequent value purchase transactions, additional value may be added to the account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Phil M. Chakiris, Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves
  • Patent number: 10152614
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale (POS). The device may be identified by an indicia and activation may occur following purchase of the device. The method may include the steps of receiving at a central processor from the POS the indicia identifying the device purchased at the POS; enabling by the central processor a feature or functionality of the device or use of the device; and conveying to the device information material to the feature, functionality, or use. The system may include a central processor that activates the device. The central processor may include various interfaces with the POS, provider, and device, as well as a database with records related to the device and an activation processor for determining if activation is appropriate, activating the device, and sending information material to the feature, functionality, or use to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: e2interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves, Phil M Chakiris
  • Patent number: 10063714
    Abstract: A method of adding a value to a customer account is provided. A request to add a value to a customer account of a customer is received from a point of sale terminal. The request may comprise value identification data associated with the value and account identification data associated with the customer account. The customer account identification data may be entered at the point of sale. The request may be associated with a purchase of the value. The value may be caused to be added to the customer account. During subsequent value purchase transactions, additional value may be added to the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: e2interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Chakiris, Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves
  • Publication number: 20170103294
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a card and package assembly and methods of making the same. Card and package assemblies in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include a package, a data card, the data card packaged at least in part within the package, and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card. Methods of packaging a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include steps of manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card, manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package, determining an activation indicia, packaging the data card at least in part within the package, and printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks SMITH, Chandilyn Smith
  • Patent number: 9569769
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a card and package assembly and methods of making the same. Card and package assemblies in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include a package, a data card, the data card packaged at least in part within the package, and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card. Methods of packaging a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include steps of manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card, manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package, determining an activation indicia, packaging the data card at least in part within the package, and printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: e2interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks Smith, Chandilyn Smith
  • Publication number: 20140200976
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention may include methods and systems for conducting a transaction utilizing an indicia associated with goods or services, the indicia initially provided to an originating party by an originating merchant, but wherein the indicia may be used in a transaction at a providing merchant by an obtaining party, the transaction conducted amongst a central processor, one or more merchants that may include the originating merchant and the providing merchant, and one or more parties that may include the originating party and the obtaining party. The method may include steps such as: receiving the indicia from the providing merchant; determining whether the indicia is valid, the goods or services associated with the indicia, whether the providing merchant is the originating merchant, whether the obtaining party is the originating party, and determining a transaction price for the indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves, Phil M. Chakiris, Samuel Collins
  • Publication number: 20140166748
    Abstract: A computerized system and method for securely authorizing and distributing stored-value card data over a communications network is provided. The method allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card as well as information identifying a plurality of trusted sources of stored-value card activation requests and/or a plurality of trusted communications networks for transmitting stored-value card activation requests. A transmitting step allows for a requesting terminal to transmit over a communications network a request to change the status of a stored-value card. The central processor then determines whether the requesting terminal and/or the communications network is a trusted source. Based on whether the requesting terminal or communications network is a trusted source or trusted communications network, the request can be processed and the card can be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: e2interactive, Inc. d/b/a e2lnteractive, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Craig Graves, Merrill Brooks Smith
  • Patent number: 8751401
    Abstract: A computerized system and method for securely authorizing and distributing stored-value card data over a communications network is provided. The method allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card as well as information identifying a plurality of trusted sources of stored-value card activation requests and/or a plurality of trusted communications networks for transmitting stored-value card activation requests. A transmitting step allows for a requesting terminal to transmit over a communications network a request to change the status of a stored-value card. The central processor then determines whether the requesting terminal and/or the communications network is a trusted source. Based on whether the requesting terminal or communications network is a trusted source or trusted communications network, the request can be processed and the card can be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: e2interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Craig Graves, Merrill Brooks Smith
  • Patent number: 8706630
    Abstract: A computerized system and method for securely authorizing and distributing stored-value card data over a communications network is provided. The method allows for storing in the database a plurality of records comprising stored-value card data for each stored-value card as well as information identifying a plurality of trusted sources of stored-value card activation requests and/or a plurality of trusted communications networks for transmitting stored-value card activation requests. A transmitting step allows for a requesting terminal to transmit over a communications network a request to change the status of a stored-value card. The central processor then determines whether the requesting terminal and/or the communications network is a trusted source. Based on whether the requesting terminal or communications network is a trusted source or trusted communications network, the request can be processed and the card can be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: e2interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Craig Graves, Merrill Brooks Smith
  • Publication number: 20140076978
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a card and package assembly and methods of making the same. Card and package assemblies in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include a package, a data card, the data card packaged at least in part within the package, and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card. Methods of packaging a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include steps of manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card, manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package, determining an activation indicia, packaging the data card at least in part within the package, and printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks SMITH, Chandilyn Smith
  • Publication number: 20140054375
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale (POS). The device may be identified by an indicia and activation may occur following purchase of the device. The method may include the steps of receiving at a central processor from the POS the indicia identifying the device purchased at the POS; enabling by the central processor a feature or functionality of the device or use of the device; and conveying to the device information material to the feature, functionality, or use. The system may include a central processor that activates the device. The central processor may include various interfaces with the POS, provider, and device, as well as a database with records related to the device and an activation processor for determining if activation is appropriate, activating the device, and sending information material to the feature, functionality, or use to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves, Phil M Chakiris
  • Publication number: 20140058934
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods providing payment into a pre-existing customer account with a provider of goods or services, the method facilitated between a customer, a provider of goods or services, and a processor. The method including steps such as receiving from the customer value, identifying information of the customer, and information sufficient to identify the provider and pre-existing account of the customer; accessing a payment platform of the provider; determining information required by the provider in order to provide payment into the customer account; communicating information required by the provider in order to provide payment into the customer account; and providing a value into the customer account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Merrill Brooks Smith, Phillip Craig Graves, Phil M. Chakiris