Patents Assigned to NCR
  • Secure tag coding
    Patent number: 8034398
    Abstract: A secure tag coding method and device. The method comprises: providing a first type of secure tag having a first luminescence profile to indicate a first level code; providing a second type of secure tag having a second luminescence profile different from the first luminescence profile to indicate a second level code; mixing secure tags of the first type with secure tags of the second type in a predetermined ratio so that excitation of the mixed secure tags produces a composite of the first luminescence profile and the second luminescence profile, from which composite a multi-level code can be ascertained; and applying the mixture of first and second types of secure tags to a substrate. The substrate carrying this secure tag coding arrangement provides multi-level codes. The device for selecting and applying the secure tag coding arrangement to the substrate is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Ross
  • Radio frequency data reader
    Patent number: 8035521
    Abstract: An RFID or NFC reader is associated via a data link with a tag module such that when the reader transmits an interrogation signal the tag module responds with a random, or constrained random, information signal. The information signal masks a signal transmitted by an RFID or NFC tag which the reader is interrogating, making fraudulently obtaining details contained in the tag transmission more difficult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Stewart D. Lees
  • Automated business system and method of vending and returning a consumer product
    Patent number: 8036774
    Abstract: System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Blust, Thomas Driscoll
  • Media position sensing
    Publication number: 20110243632
    Abstract: Media positioning sensing techniques are presented. A position on a substrate is detected based on adhesive or characteristics that enhance an adhesive applied to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Rawlings, Richard B. Moreland, David Dashiell, Joseph D. Roth, Michael J. VanDemark, Mary Ann Wehr
  • Methods and apparatus for positioning objects for scanning by a hybrid laser and imaging scanner
    Patent number: 8028916
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for assuring proper presentation of a bar code for imaging scanning in a hybrid laser and imaging bar code scanner. A scanner includes elements for laser bar code scanning and imaging bar code scanning, and includes indicia for assuring proper presentation by a user of a bar code suited to imaging scanning. Indicia may include targeting features on a scan window, designed so as to minimize interference with bar code scanning, or may alternatively include features alongside a scan window. Alternative indicia may include removable holders for securing an object bearing a bar code in an appropriate position, and further alternative indicia may include visible targeting beams so that a user can be assured that imaging scanning may be satisfactorily performed on bar code placed in a visible targeting beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel C. Herwig, Sik Piu Kwan
  • System and method of refilling a prescription
    Patent number: 8027847
    Abstract: A system and method of refilling a prescription which uses a pharmacy kiosk. One embodiment of the system includes a touch screen located at a pharmacy, an input device in the touch screen or card reader for recording identification information from a customer, a barcode reader located at the pharmacy for reading a barcode containing prescription information from a previous transaction, a card reader or cash acceptor or check reader located at the pharmacy for receiving payment from the customer, and a computer located at the pharmacy for displaying a prompt to enter the identification information and scan the barcode using the touch screen, for recording the prescription information using the barcode reader, for determining corresponding price information for a refill of the prescription, and for processing payment for the refill from the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: John Brian Francis, John C. Goodwin, III
  • Self-service terminal
    Patent number: 8011571
    Abstract: A self-service terminal comprises a plurality of devices, each device having a unique device identifier. The terminal also has a fascia including a plurality of apertures, each aperture having a corresponding indicator and being associated with a device in the self-service terminal. The terminal executes a control application for identifying and energizing an indicator corresponding to an aperture to be used by a customer. The terminal also includes a mapping component for allowing an authorized user (i) to display the current mapping of indicators to device identifiers, and (ii) to modify the current mapping to associate an indicator with a different device identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Hurrell
  • LINERLESS LABELS
    Publication number: 20110205326
    Abstract: Linerless labels are presented. A label includes a specific pattern or set of patterns of adhesive applied to one side of the label. The adhesive pattern(s) reduces contact between a cutter blade of a printer and the adhesive on the one side of the label. Moreover, the adhesive patterns reduce buildup of adhesive on the cutter blade and reduce buildup at specific locations on the cutter blade. That is, the adhesive patterns more evenly distribute adhesive buildup across the cutter blade. Consequently, the cutter blade can be used for a longer period of time before the cutter blade needs to be cleaned of the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Roth, Jody L. Brookshire
  • Dual-aperature barcode scanner with tether-free tower housing
    Patent number: 7997493
    Abstract: A dual-aperture barcode scanner with tether-free housing. The scanner includes vertical portion including switches and a housing adjacent to but separated from the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Gregerson, Paul O. Detwiler, John R. Johnson
  • Method of remotely controlling a user interface
    Patent number: 7996461
    Abstract: A method of remotely controlling a user interface which includes peer-peer client/server software modules that allow the user interface on a host computer to be displayed by a remote terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Erick C. Kobres, David E. Moore
  • Mirrored spinner with paired offset facets
    Patent number: 7992785
    Abstract: A mirrored spinner with paired offset facets for scattering a laser beam. The mirrored spinner includes a first number of mirrored facets, including a second number of pairs of offset mirrored facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Paul O. Detwiler
  • High speed wireless infrastructure
    Publication number: 20110158126
    Abstract: High speed wireless infrastructures and techniques are provided. Wireless radios are situated within an enterprise, each radio positioned at the end of the wireless frequency range for that of a neighboring radio. Each radio wireless transmits using direction steerable antennas at 60 Gigahertz. At lease one radio is interfaced to a back-end enterprise information server. Each radio capable of interfacing to a consumer's wireless device within the enterprise when that wireless device is within range of the directional steerable antennas. The wireless radios and the back-end information server combine to form a high speed wireless communication network within the enterprise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Albertus Maria Gerardus Claessen
  • Weight detection for cashier checkout terminals
    Publication number: 20110161184
    Abstract: Weight detection mechanisms for cashier checkout terminal are provided. When a transaction by a customer concludes at a cashier checkout terminal, a check is made to determine if a product was left behind on a baggage unit associated with the cashier checkout terminal. When excess weight is detected on the baggage unit at the conclusion of the transaction, one or more alerts are generated to raise awareness with the customer that the product has not been retrieved by the customer from the baggage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Dusty Lutz
  • Methods and Apparatus for Selecting and Delivering Content
    Publication number: 20110154499
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for selecting and delivering entertainment content. User preference information for entertainment content to accompany user activities is collected and associated with a user. Upon indication by a user of a desire to receive content and designation of an activity to be accompanied by the content, content items are selected and assembled into a package so that the content items may be played in sequence using a user device. The content items comprising the package are delivered to the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Charles G.V. Rohan, Andrew Colley
  • One-ply two-sided thermal imaging labels
    Publication number: 20110152076
    Abstract: A print media representing a label is constructed having two components. A first component is capable of being thermally imaged on both a front and back side of the print media. The second component is affixed to the first component but capable of being separated there from. Also, the second component includes adhesive material along a portion of its backside to adhere the print media to an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. VanDemark
  • Methods and Apparatus for Managing Stored Cash Value for Use in Gaming Transactions
    Publication number: 20110151964
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing stored cash value in gaming operations. A server stores patron account information relating to a stored cash value account, with the stored cash value account information being usable for gaming transactions using a gaming machine belonging to a gaming machine network and communicating with the server. The server communicates with a stored cash value transaction machine allowing the patron to deposit currency for credit to the stored cash value account and to make redemptions from the account. The account may be associated with a token that can be presented at gaming machines for play and at the stored cash value transaction machine for deposits and redemptions. In addition, a loyalty account may also be associated with the token, so that presentation of the token allows for identification of the loyalty account for credit based on play and for reward redemption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Race
  • THERMAL PRINTER AND PRINTING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110134202
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NCR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sekino, Kousuke Takahashi, Takeshi Hiyoshi, Kiyotaka Nihashi, Tsuyoshi Sanada
  • Methods and Apparatus for Secure Distribution of Protected Content
    Publication number: 20110138486
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for protection and delivery of content. Upon initiation of a user account for use in conducting transactions involving delivery of content to a user, digital rights management (DRM) information is created and stored in association with user information. A copy of the DRM information is provided to or made accessible to the user in such a way that the DRM information can made accessible to a suitable playback device to allow playing of content protected with the DRM information. When a user enters into a transaction to receive content, the DRM information associated with the user is used to protect the content before delivery to the user. When the user wishes to play the content, the removable media device storing the user's DRM information must be present in order to allow playing of the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Frederick White
  • Bank document image viewing apparatus and methods of a financial institution presenting an image of a bank document in a check truncation environment
    Patent number: 7957577
    Abstract: A method is provided of a financial institution presenting an image of a bank document in a check truncation environment. The method comprises determining security permission level associated with a person to be presented with the image of the bank document, determining type of the bank document, locating a first sensitive area associated with the bank document, and presenting on a screen of a monitor the image of the bank document with the first sensitive area in the image being selectively blanked out based upon the security permission level associated with the person to be presented with the image of the bank document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew R. Blaikie
  • Optical scanner having enhanced item side coverage
    Patent number: RE42651
    Abstract: A dual aperture optical scanner which produces horizontal, vertical, and diagonal scan patterns. The optical scanner includes a housing having a substantially vertical surface containing a first aperture and a substantially horizontal surface containing a second aperture. A laser diode produces a laser beam. A spinner produces first, second, and third groups of scanning beams. A plurality of pattern mirrors reflects the first group of scanning beams in a substantially horizontal direction through the first aperture, the second group of scanning beams in a substantially downward diagonal direction through the first aperture, and the third group of scanning beams in a substantially vertical direction through the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Paul O. Detwiler, Barry M. Mergenthaler, Hong Tang