Patents Represented by Attorney Barkume & Associates, P.C.
-
Patent number: 8301561Abstract: A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in the user's reward account by the required number of points. The reward account holder conveys consideration to the transacting entity equivalent to the par value of the reward points consumer obtains the product in exchange for reward points having a retail value equivalent to what he would have otherwise paid for the product, while the reward account holder is required to convey only the par value of the points. The product provider is able to liquidate the product and obtain payment equivalent to what it would otherwise have obtained in a prior art liquidation process, auction or trading environment.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Signature Systems, LLC.Inventor: Richard Postrel
-
Patent number: 8285588Abstract: Providing rewards to a user by storing a user profile in memory of a computing device, the user profile including profile data including prior purchase history by the user including details of a plurality of transactions that have been previously executed by the user. The profile data is analyzed in accordance with a scoring algorithm to provide a score that is indicative of the relative value of the user, and the user is provided with a reward in accordance with the user's score as indicated by the scoring algorithm. The reward provided to the user may be a coupon, a rebate, a discount or reward points.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Signature Systems, LLC.Inventor: Richard Postrel
-
Patent number: 8238885Abstract: In order to avoid erroneous or incorrectly attributed comments in picture-assisted documentation systems, the invention proposes a system which comprises at least one mobile terminal, at least one server and at least two machine-readable markers applied to or on articles, in which the mobile terminal comprises a reading unit which can be used to read the markers applied to or on the articles, a camera for taking pictures, and means for sending pictures.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: NeoMedia Europe GmbHInventors: Frank Mueller, Mario Joussen
-
Patent number: 8191787Abstract: An image capturing apparatus having an image capturing unit and an image filtering surface in which the optical axis of the image capturing unit is disposed at an angle ? to a normal of the image fitting surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: NeoMedia Europe GmbHInventors: Jorg Kuchen, Frank Muller, Laurens Nunnink
-
Method and system for using multi-function cards for storing, managing and aggregating reward points
Patent number: 8195507Abstract: A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Signature Systems, LLC.Inventor: Richard Postrel -
Patent number: 8189466Abstract: Machine-readable codes are read, decoded and resolved by a messaging system in order to perform a desired function. If the code is not native to that (home) messaging system, then a resolution request is made to a central messaging interchange system to determine which other (destination) messaging system is native to and can resolve that code. The messaging interchange system then either returns the appropriate routing information back to the home messaging system (in which case the home messaging system sends the resolution request directly to the destination messaging system) or forwards the resolution request to the destination messaging system itself. The destination messaging system transmits a resolution response message to the home messaging system, either directly or via the messaging interchange system.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies, IncInventors: Frank Mueller, Steven Kearns, Kevin Doré Hunter
-
Patent number: 8160922Abstract: A method and system for making a donation to a third party, wherein a user executes a purchase transaction using a card linked to a reward point account If a user donation is desired, then the user's reward point account is decreased and corresponding value is transferred to a designated third party as a donation. In another aspect referred to as “topping off”, the donation amount is the difference between the tender amount and the purchase amount, and is transferred to a designated third party as a donation to the third party in lieu of providing change for the transaction back to the user.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Signature Systems, LLC.Inventor: Richard Postrel
-
Patent number: 8159344Abstract: A method of detecting a moving target within a predefined protected region with a microwave motion detector, by transmitting microwave frequency signals and receiving the microwave frequency signals reflected by a target. A target distance is then determined from the received microwave frequency signals, and a target angle is determined from the received microwave frequency signals. Then, a target location is determined from the target distance and the target angle, and an alarm condition is set if the target location is within the predefined protected region.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: XiaoDong Wu
-
Patent number: 8131597Abstract: A system and method for using identification codes found on ordinary articles of commerce to access remote computers on a network. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided having a database that relates Uniform Product Code (“UPC”) numbers to Internet network addresses (or “URLs”). To access an Internet resource relating to a particular product, a user enters the product's UPC symbol manually, by swiping a bar code reader over the UPC symbol, or via other suitable input means. The database retrieves the URL corresponding to the UPC code. This location information is then used to access the desired resource.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Frank C Hudetz, Peter R Hudetz
-
Patent number: 8117126Abstract: A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in the user's reward account by the required number of points. The reward account holder conveys consideration to the transacting entity equivalent to the par value of the reward points consumer obtains the product in exchange for reward points having a retail value equivalent to what he would have otherwise paid for the product, while the reward account holder is required to convey only the par value of the points. The product provider is able to liquidate the product and obtain payment equivalent to what it would otherwise have obtained in a prior art liquidation process, auction or trading environment.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Signature Systems, LLCInventor: Richard Postrel
-
Patent number: 8102261Abstract: A method for detecting an intruder in a protected space that uses a microwave frequency sensor to determine an accurate distance measurement to the intruder. The accurate distance measurement reduces the false alarms typically associated with microwave frequency sensors due to motion outside the protected space and vibration within the protected space. The motion detector transmits three microwave frequency signals of different frequencies in order to eliminate an ambiguity problem when determining the accurate distance measurement. The accuracy of the intruder distance measurement may be determined with greater resolution by reiteratively transmitting and evaluating microwave frequency signals of different frequencies. The motion detector of the present invention may include a PIR sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: XiaoDong Wu
-
Patent number: 8094123Abstract: A user device with a position control device such as a thumbstick may be used to emulate discrete button presses via user selection of a mode switch on the device.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Inventor: Robert Enright
-
Patent number: 8085911Abstract: A system and a method for processing an incoming telephone call to an alarm system central monitoring station using call source identification data such as caller ID. The alarm system central monitoring station can use the caller ID information transmitted by the telephone company to make decisions as to how to process a call prior to the central monitoring station receiver answering the call. The central monitoring station will process the call by checking if the caller ID information matches caller ID information stored in memory and it will check status information associated with the caller ID information to determine if the call should be disconnected, transferred, or connected.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Christopher D Martin, Narine Boodoosingh, Richard H Hinkson
-
Patent number: 8078496Abstract: A system and method for implementation of product searches via a search engine over a networked computer system such as the Internet. In particular, a user may execute a search for product offers that are accompanied with reward components (e.g. reward points, rebates, coupons, etc.) and/or those that allow payment in whole or in part with payment components (e.g. reward points, rebates, coupons, etc.).Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Signature Systems, LLC.Inventor: Richard Postrel
-
Patent number: 8051008Abstract: A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in the user's reward account by the required number of points. The reward account holder conveys consideration to the transacting entity equivalent to the par value of the reward points consumer obtains the product in exchange for reward points having a retail value equivalent to what he would have otherwise paid for the product, while the reward account holder is required to convey only the par value of the points. The product provider is able to liquidate the product and obtain payment equivalent to what it would otherwise have obtained in a prior art liquidation process, auction or trading environment.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Signature Systems, LLC.Inventor: Richard Postrel
-
Patent number: 8005323Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and transmitting high energy optical pulses are described. Distributed temperature sensors usually use Raman scattering in optical fibers as the means to determine the temperature. Here, light from a laser source is sent down a fiber and the small amount of light that is scattered back towards the source is analysed. As the fiber length increases, the resolutions of the temperature and loss measurements become poorer. This is because losses in an optical fiber attenuate the signal. An obvious solution to this problem is to launch more light into the fiber to compensate for the losses but stimulated Raman scattering limits how much light may be launched. The present invention solves this problem by using a pulse conversion method to maximize the resultant pulse energy while the power is kept below SRS threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Sensornet LimitedInventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Richard Parker, Peter Neil Kean
-
Patent number: 7982606Abstract: The present invention is an alarm system that includes a dual technology motion sensor. The dual technology sensor includes a PIR sensor with a PIR detection pattern and a Doppler microwave frequency motion detector with a detection pattern wider than that of the PIR sensor. The microwave detector's processing circuitry distinguishes motion beyond the PIR detection pattern, and limits the microwave detector's field of view to match the PIR detector's detection pattern. The microwave detector has a transmitting antenna, two receiving antennas, and processing circuitry for processing received signals. The microwave detector's processing circuitry uses phase information from the two receiving antennas to distinguish motion beyond the PIR detection pattern.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: XiaoDong Wu, Leslie Kendall Green
-
Patent number: D656201Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Seven Towns LimitedInventor: Steven Perrin
-
Patent number: D660919Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Seven Towns LimitedInventor: Steven James Perrin
-
Patent number: D669137Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Seven Towns LimitedInventor: Steven James Perrin