Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Barker

Thomas B. Barker 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: 8793165
    Abstract: A method of offering a user a plurality of scenarios under which to conduct at least one primary transaction involving at least one specific item, the specific item being one of goods and services, with each one of these scenarios entailing a corresponding cost to the user. The method can include at least the following. Communication is established via a communications device between the user and a system to facilitate the primary transaction. Primary transaction data is obtained relating to the primary transaction, with the primary transaction data including data representing an identity of the user and representing the at least one specific item. The user is offered a choice between at least two scenarios under which to conduct the primary transaction, determining costs of the transaction based on allowance of receiving offers of upsell transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Tuxis Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David C. Mussman, Thomas B. Barker, Gary L. West, Ronald A. Katz
  • Patent number: 8655746
    Abstract: In a remote communication environment, a method for real-time presentation of information to one or more users accessing one or more websites using an electronic communications device. Various aspects of the method comprise at least the following. Communication is established via the electronic communications device between the user and the website to conduct one or more primary transactions. One or more electronic identifiers associated with the user are obtained. One or more further or additional data elements related to the user are obtained from a third party using the at least one electronic identifier. Based at least on the electronic identifier and the further data element, the information is selected for presentation to the user in real time with the primary transaction. The information is presented to the user in real time with the primary transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tuxis Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David C. Mussman, Rocco L. Adornato, Thomas B. Barker, Ronald A Katz, Gary L. West
  • Patent number: 8645197
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of facilitating contact between a consumer and a requesting entity, with the method comprising the following steps. During an interaction with the consumer, the method of the invention obtains contact information and index information from the consumer. The method then evaluates whether the consumer meets a selection criterion specified by the requesting entity using the indexing information. A data store entry associated with the consumer can be updated with the contact information. The contact information is then referred to the requesting entity thereby providing the requesting entity with up-to-date contact information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Micek, Thomas B. Barker
  • Patent number: 8315915
    Abstract: Providing offers of an item constituting a good or a service to users of a system, utilizing an electronic communications device, comprises at least the following: establishing a communication via the electronic communications device between a given user and the system for purpose of a primary transaction for a first good or service, obtaining primary transaction data with respect to the primary transaction, including the purpose of the primary transaction, obtaining the identity of the given user, utilizing at least in part the primary transaction data including the purpose of the primary transaction and the identity of the user, and determining at least one item for offer to the given user, and offering the item to the given user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A. Katz, Gary L. West, Thomas B. Barker
  • Patent number: 8315909
    Abstract: Computer-based methods, computer readable media, and computer program products for intelligently processing primary transactions in which users interact with automated point-of-sale terminals. Various aspects of these methods comprise, at least in part, providing the automated point-of-sale (POS) terminals, which are operable to facilitate primary transactions that involve specific items selected by the user. These methods also include obtaining information representing respective current demand parameters that are associated with the POS terminals, and conducting the primary transactions with the user. The method then analyzes the current demand parameters to determine whether to offer an upsell transaction to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas B. Barker
  • Patent number: 8306908
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems, and computer readable media of performing account acquisitions while associating pending transactions with applications for such accounts. One embodiment includes obtaining transaction information for preliminary transaction(s) by which a customer orders goods and/or services, proposing one or more additional transactions relating to goods and/or services to the customer, along with new accounts to pay for such preliminary or additional transactions, and associating the preliminary or additional transactions is with the new account application as pending transactions. Finally, the method can include requesting approval of the new application, with the transaction for goods/services associated with the application in a pending status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Barker, Todd B. Strubbe, Rodney J. Kempkes, Mark J. Pettay, Robert E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8298274
    Abstract: A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B Barker, Jr., John Stewart Young, Craig M Squires, David L Brumfield, Christopher E Johnson, Dennis J Buchanan
  • Patent number: 8290829
    Abstract: Providing offers of an item constituting a good or a service to users of a system, utilizing an electronic communications device, comprises at least the following: establishing a communication via the electronic communications device between a given user and the system for purpose of a primary transaction for a first good or service, obtaining primary transaction data with respect to the primary transaction, including the purpose of the primary transaction, obtaining the identity of the given user, utilizing at least in part the primary transaction data including the purpose of the primary transaction and the identity of the user, and determining at least one item for offer to the given user, and offering the item to the given user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A. Katz, Gary L. West, Thomas B. Barker
  • Patent number: 8280761
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of facilitating contact between a consumer and a requesting entity, with the method comprising the following steps. During an interaction with the consumer, the method of the invention obtains contact information and index information from the consumer. The method then evaluates whether the consumer meets a selection criterion specified by the requesting entity using the indexing information. A data store entry associated with the consumer can be updated with the contact information. The contact information is then referred to the requesting entity thereby providing the requesting entity with up-to-date contact information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Micek, Thomas B. Barker
  • Patent number: 8086503
    Abstract: A method of offering a user a plurality of scenarios under which to conduct at least one primary transaction involving at least one specific item, the specific item being one of goods and services, with each one of these scenarios entailing a corresponding cost to the user. The method can include at least the following. Communication is established via a communications device between the user and a system to facilitate the primary transaction. Primary transaction data is obtained relating to the primary transaction, with the primary transaction data including data representing an identity of the user and representing the at least one specific item. The user is offered a choice between at least two scenarios under which to conduct the primary transaction, determining costs of the transaction based on allowance of receiving offers of upsell transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Mussman, Thomas B. Barker, Gary L. West, Ronald A. Katz
  • Patent number: 8078503
    Abstract: In a remote communication environment, a method for real-time presentation of information to one or more users accessing one or more websites using an electronic communications device. Various aspects of the method comprise at least the following. Communication is established via the electronic communications device between the user and the website to conduct one or more primary transactions. One or more electronic identifiers associated with the user are obtained. One or more further or additional data elements related to the user are obtained from a third party using the at least one electronic identifier. Based at least on the electronic identifier and the further data element, the information is selected for presentation to the user in real time with the primary transaction. The information is presented to the user in real time with the primary transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Mussman, Rocco L. Adornato, Thomas B. Barker, Ronald A Katz, Gary L. West
  • Patent number: 7996279
    Abstract: Providing offers of an item constituting a good or a service to users of a system, utilizing an electronic communications device, comprises at least the following: establishing a communication via the electronic communications device between a given user and the system for purpose of a primary transaction for a first good or service, obtaining primary transaction data with respect to the primary transaction, including the purpose of the primary transaction, obtaining the identity of the given user, utilizing at least in part the primary transaction data including the purpose of the primary transaction and the identity of the user, and determining at least one item for offer to the given user, and offering the item to the given user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A Katz, Gary L West, Thomas B Barker
  • Patent number: 7853488
    Abstract: A method of offering a user a plurality of scenarios under which to conduct at least one primary transaction involving at least one specific item, the specific item being one of goods and services, with each one of these scenarios entailing a corresponding cost to the user. The method can include at least the following. Communication is established via a communications device between the user and a system to facilitate the primary transaction. Primary transaction data is obtained relating to the primary transaction, with the primary transaction data including data representing an identity of the user and representing the at least one specific item. The user is offered a choice between at least two scenarios under which to conduct the primary transaction, determining costs of the transaction based on allowance of receiving offers of upsell transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: David C Mussman, Thomas B Barker, Gary L West, Ronald A Katz
  • Patent number: 7822647
    Abstract: In a remote communication environment, a method for real-time presentation of information to one or more users accessing one or more websites using an electronic communications device. Various aspects of the method comprise at least the following. Communication is established via the electronic communications device between the user and the website to conduct one or more primary transactions. One or more electronic identifiers associated with the user are obtained. One or more further or additional data elements related to the user are obtained from a third party using the at least one electronic identifier. Based at least on the electronic identifier and the further data element, the information is selected for presentation to the user in real time with the primary transaction. The information is presented to the user in real time with the primary transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: David C Mussman, Rocco L Adornato, Thomas B Barker, Ronald A Katz, Gary L West
  • Patent number: 7792702
    Abstract: In a remote communication environment, a method for real-time presentation of information to one or more users accessing one or more websites using an electronic communications device. Various aspects of the method comprise at least the following. Communication is established via the electronic communications device between the user and the website to conduct one or more primary transactions. One or more electronic identifiers associated with the user are obtained. One or more further or additional data elements related to the user are obtained from a third party using the at least one electronic identifier. Based at least on the electronic identifier and the further data element, the information is selected for presentation to the user in real time with the primary transaction. The information is presented to the user in real time with the primary transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A. Katz, Gary L. West, Thomas B. Barker
  • Patent number: 7729945
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for effecting remote commerce, such as in telemarketing (either inbound or outbound) and in electronic commerce, which are particularly adapted for the intelligent selection and proffer of products, services or information to a user or customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A. Katz, Gary L. West, Thomas B. Barker
  • Patent number: 7386485
    Abstract: In a remote communication environment, a method for real-time presentation of information to one or more users accessing one or more websites using an electronic communications device. Various aspects of the method comprise at least the following. Communication is established via the electronic communications device between the user and the website to conduct one or more primary transactions. One or more electronic identifiers associated with the user are obtained. One or more further or additional data elements related to the user are obtained from a third party using the at least one electronic identifier. Based at least on the electronic identifier and the further data element, the information is selected for presentation to the user in real time with the primary transaction. The information is presented to the user in real time with the primary transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Mussman, Rocco L. Adornato, Thomas B. Barker, Gary L. West, Ronald A. Katz
  • Patent number: 7283974
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for effecting remote commerce, such as in telemarketing (either inbound or outbound) and in electronic commerce, which are particularly adapted for the intelligent selection and proffer of products, services or information to a user or customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A. Katz, Gary L. West, Thomas B. Barker
  • Patent number: 7280979
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for effecting remote commerce, such as in telemarketing (either inbound or outbound) and in electronic commerce, which are particularly adapted for the intelligent selection and proffer of products, services or information to a user or customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A. Katz, Gary L. West, Thomas B. Barker
  • Publication number: 20030130904
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for effecting remote commerce, such as in telemarketing (either inbound or outbound) and in electronic commerce, which are particularly adapted for the intelligent selection and proffer of products, services or information to a user or customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: West Direct, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Katz, Gary L. West, Thomas B. Barker