Patents by Inventor Stephen Kirk

Stephen Kirk 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: 11915220
    Abstract: An apparatus for dynamic credit card reader mode management is provided, the apparatus including: a point-of sale (POS) terminal, configured to accept employee login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, to display menu items for selection, to add selected menu items to an order, and to accept payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap, the POS terminal including: a first card reader, configured to read first provided cards when enabled; a second card reader, configured to read second provided cards when enabled; and a dual reader controller, coupled to the first and second card readers, configured to determine one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and configured to dynamically control modes of the first and second card readers according to the one or more workflow states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Toast, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hanley, Stephen Kirk, Chance Ashley Kirsch
  • Patent number: 11816650
    Abstract: A system for credit card reader mode management includes: a point-of sale (POS) terminal, that accepts login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, displays menu items, adds selected menu items to an order, and accepts payment instruments for the order, the POS terminal including: a first card reader, that reads first cards when enabled; a second card reader, that reads second cards when enabled; and a dual reader controller, that determines one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and controls modes of the first and second card readers; and a backend server, that receives messages transmitted by the POS terminal including payment information obtained by the POS terminal, and that employs the payment information to process one of more transactions with one or more financial institutions to complete the payment for the order, and that notifies the POS terminal that the payment for the order is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Toast, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hanley, Stephen Kirk, Chance Ashley Kirsch
  • Patent number: 11748728
    Abstract: A method for dynamic adaptation of card reader protocol includes: providing a point-of sale (POS) terminal, that accepts login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, displays menu items for selection, adds selected menu items to an order, and accepts payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap; via a card reader, reading provided cards when enabled; via a reader controller, determining one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and controlling states and modes of the card reader; determining a type and capabilities of the card reader upon power up; and receiving instructions indicating the type and the capabilities, and communicating with the card reader according to the type and the capabilities responsive to a common set of commands employed by the POS terminal, and formatting data received from the card reader into a common data format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Toast, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hanley, Stephen Kirk, Chance Ashley Kirsch
  • Patent number: 11568156
    Abstract: An apparatus for context-based credit card reader management is provided that includes a point-of sale (POS) terminal, configured to accept employee login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, to display menu items for selection, to add selected menu items to an order, and to accept payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap. The POS terminal has a card reader and a reader controller. The card reader reads provided cards when fully powered and enabled. The reader controller is coupled to the card reader, and determines one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and dynamically controls power states of the card reader according to the one or more workflow states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Toast, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hanley, Stephen Kirk, Chance Ashley Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20220309483
    Abstract: An apparatus for dynamic credit card reader mode management is provided, the apparatus including: a point-of sale (POS) terminal, configured to accept employee login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, to display menu items for selection, to add selected menu items to an order, and to accept payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap, the POS terminal including: a first card reader, configured to read first provided cards when enabled; a second card reader, configured to read second provided cards when enabled; and a dual reader controller, coupled to the first and second card readers, configured to determine one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and configured to dynamically control modes of the first and second card readers according to the one or more workflow states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Toast, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hanley, Stephen Kirk, Chance Ashley Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20220309484
    Abstract: A method for dynamic adaptation of card reader protocol includes: providing a point-of sale (POS) terminal, that accepts login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, displays menu items for selection, adds selected menu items to an order, and accepts payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap; via a card reader, reading provided cards when enabled; via a reader controller, determining one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and controlling states and modes of the card reader; determining a type and capabilities of the card reader upon power up; and receiving instructions indicating the type and the capabilities, and communicating with the card reader according to the type and the capabilities responsive to a common set of commands employed by the POS terminal, and formatting data received from the card reader into a common data format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Toast, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hanley, Stephen Kirk, Chance Ashley Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20220309259
    Abstract: An apparatus for context-based credit card reader management is provided that includes a point-of sale (POS) terminal, configured to accept employee login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, to display menu items for selection, to add selected menu items to an order, and to accept payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap. The POS terminal has a card reader and a reader controller. The card reader reads provided cards when fully powered and enabled. The reader controller is coupled to the card reader, and determines one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and dynamically controls power states of the card reader according to the one or more workflow states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Toast, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hanley, Stephen Kirk, Chance Ashley Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20220309481
    Abstract: A system for credit card reader mode management includes: a point-of sale (POS) terminal, that accepts login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, displays menu items, adds selected menu items to an order, and accepts payment instruments for the order, the POS terminal including: a first card reader, that reads first cards when enabled; a second card reader, that reads second cards when enabled; and a dual reader controller, that determines one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and controls modes of the first and second card readers; and a backend server, that receives messages transmitted by the POS terminal including payment information obtained by the POS terminal, and that employs the payment information to process one of more transactions with one or more financial institutions to complete the payment for the order, and that notifies the POS terminal that the payment for the order is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Toast, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Hanley, Stephen Kirk, Chance Ashley Kirsch
  • Patent number: 9309694
    Abstract: A pin tumbler lock pin kit and method of use. According to an embodiment, pin tumbler lock pick kit 10 is generally comprised of a pin lifter 100, a tailpiece manipulator 200, a first guide key 300, a second guide key 400, and a J-hook 500. The present disclosure enables homeowners and professional locksmiths to easily open pin tumbler locks without damaging the lock, without practice or locksmith experience, and in a significant reduced time compared to prior art solutions (typically in 60 seconds or less). Embodiments of the present disclosure enable a user to mechanically manipulate the tumbler pins of a pin tumbler lock, and remove the retaining cap that retains the tumbler pins. With the retaining cap removed the lock set can easily be turned and opened without incurring any damage to the lockset. The unlocked tumbler can be removed and re-keyed for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CAP POPPER, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Kirk Prater
  • Publication number: 20160010360
    Abstract: A pin tumbler lock pin kit and method of use. According to an embodiment, pin tumbler lock pick kit 10 is generally comprised of a pin lifter 100, a tailpiece manipulator 200, a first guide key 300, a second guide key 400, and a J-hook 500. The present disclosure enables homeowners and professional locksmiths to easily open pin tumbler locks without damaging the lock, without practice or locksmith experience, and in a significant reduced time compared to prior art solutions (typically in 60 seconds or less). Embodiments of the present disclosure enable a user to mechanically manipulate the tumbler pins of a pin tumbler lock, and remove the retaining cap that retains the tumbler pins. With the retaining cap removed the lock set can easily be turned and opened without incurring any damage to the lockset. The unlocked tumbler can be removed and re-keyed for reuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Stephen Kirk Prater