Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Heeter

Thomas W. Heeter 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: 11954704
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20240029105
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventor: THOMAS W. HEETER
  • Publication number: 20230376997
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Patent number: 11727437
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20230087051
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides for making electronic payments by scanning a merchant 2D code located near the point of sale with the customer's cell phone and transmitting the code or data embodied by the code to a payment center where the merchant's account can be credited and the customer's account debited without transmitting account information over the airwaves. In another embodiment of the invention, both parties transmit the same randomly generated 2D code or data embodied by the code to the payment center where they are matched to each other and to the buyer and seller to process the transaction. In a further embodiment of the invention, an inked tattoo or barcode marking is employed as a password to authorize access to smartphone applications for example, to make an electronic payment over a threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventor: THOMAS W HEETER
  • Patent number: 11507941
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides for making electronic payments by scanning a merchant 2D code located near the point of sale with the customer's cell phone and transmitting the code or data embodied by the code to a payment center where the merchant's account can be credited and the customer's account debited without transmitting account information over the airwaves. In another embodiment of the invention, both parties transmit the same randomly generated 2D code or data embodied by the code to the payment center where they are matched to each other and to the buyer and seller to process the transaction. In a further embodiment of the invention, an inked tattoo or barcode marking is employed as a password to authorize access to smartphone applications for example, to make an electronic payment over a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas W Heeter
  • Publication number: 20220245671
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20220222652
    Abstract: A method is presented for facilitating sales transactions by electronic media. A barcode or other design containing merchant seller information is attached to a decal, label or stamp sheet to enable electronic payment to a merchant seller's account. The decal sheet is made with an adhesive sufficient to allow the decal label once printed, to be attached to a personal object during the period of time for which a financial transaction might occur. The decal label is then removed from the decal label sheet and applied to the personal object provided by the merchant. Before the sales transaction can be consummated, the decal label information is scanned by the buyer's smartphone. Characteristics about the decal label are compared to characteristics about the decal label's information digitally stored on a computer database in question in order to validate the identity of the merchant seller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventor: THOMAS W. HEETER
  • Publication number: 20220215429
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Patent number: 11301576
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Patent number: 10990841
    Abstract: Methods are presented for facilitating sales transactions by electronic media A temporary barcode or other design is affixed to the person or personal object during the period of time for which a financial transaction might occur. Before the sales transaction can be consummated, the barcode information is scanned and characteristics about the scanned code are compared to characteristics about other codes stored in a database for the specific time period in question in order to verify the identity of the buyer for a given time period. Once the information is verified, the seller may be authorized to debit the buyer's electronic bank account or charge their charge card account to consummate the transaction or transactions during a period of time. The seller may transmit the buyer's barcode and the buyer transmit the seller's barcode to a clearance center, where the buyer has a smartphone capable of scanning the seller's code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20200327536
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides for making electronic payments by scanning a merchant 2D code located near the point of sale with the customer's cell phone and transmitting the code or data embodied by the code to a payment center where the merchant's account can be credited and the customer's account debited without transmitting account information over the airwaves. In another embodiment of the invention, both parties transmit the same randomly generated 2D code or data embodied by the code to the payment center where they are matched to each other and to the buyer and seller to process the transaction. In a further embodiment of the invention, an inked tattoo or barcode marking is employed as a password to authorize access to smartphone applications for example, to make an electronic payment over a threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventor: THOMAS W. HEETER
  • Publication number: 20190258814
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Patent number: 10262334
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device, and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20170352053
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device, and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20160027042
    Abstract: A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device, and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20140310174
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides for making electronic payments by scanning a merchant 2D code located near the point of sale with the customer's cell phone and transmitting the code or data embodied by the code to a payment center where the merchant's account can be credited and the customer's account debited without transmitting account information over the airwaves. In another embodiment of the invention, both parties transmit the same randomly generated 2D code or data embodied by the code to the payment center where they are matched to each other and to the buyer and seller to process the transaction. In a further embodiment of the invention, an inked tattoo or barcode marking is employed as a password to authorize access to smartphone applications for example, to make an electronic payment over a threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Patent number: 8483448
    Abstract: Methods are presented for facilitating sales transactions by electronic media. A temporary barcode or other design is affixed to the person or personal object during the period of time for which a financial transaction might occur. Before the sales transaction can be consummated, the barcode information is scanned and characteristics about the scanned code are compared to characteristics about other codes stored in a database for the specific time period in question in order to verify the identity of the buyer for a given time period. Once the information is verified, the seller may be authorized to debit the buyer's electronic bank account or charge their charge card account to consummate the transaction or transactions during a period of time. The seller may transmit the buyer's barcode and the buyer transmit the seller's barcode to a clearance center, where the buyer has a smartphone capable of scanning the seller's code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Scanable, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20120223137
    Abstract: Methods are presented for facilitating sales transactions by electronic media A temporary barcode or other design is affixed to the person or personal object during the period of time for which a financial transaction might occur. Before the sales transaction can be consummated, the barcode information is scanned and characteristics about the scanned code are compared to characteristics about other codes stored in a database for the specific time period in question in order to verify the identity of the buyer for a given time period. Once the information is verified, the seller may be authorized to debit the buyer's electronic bank account or charge their charge card account to consummate the transaction or transactions during a period of time. The seller may transmit the buyer's barcode and the buyer transmit the seller's barcode to a clearance center, where the buyer has a smartphone capable of scanning the seller's code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter
  • Publication number: 20110119187
    Abstract: A method is presented for facilitating sales transactions by electronic media. A temporary barcode or other design is tattooed onto a tattoo sheet, previously organized by verifiable chronological date. The tattoo sheet is made with an adhesive sufficient to allow the tattoo, once printed, to be transferred onto the skin of a person or to a personal object and remain affixed to said person or personal object during the period of time for which a financial transaction might occur. The transferable temporary tattoo is then removed from the sheet and applied to the skin of the individual or to a personal object in their possession. Before the sales transaction can be consummated, the tattoo information along with the corresponding valid date information is scanned with a scanner. Characteristics about the scanned tattoo are compared to characteristics about other tattoos stored on a computer database for the specific time period in question in order to verify the identity of the buyer for a given time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas W. Heeter