Patents Examined by Allen Chein
  • Patent number: 9245305
    Abstract: A system. A system includes a computing system. The computing system includes a processor, a first module, a second module, and a third module. The first module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for receiving chain of custody information associated with an item. The second module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for determining a status of the item based on the received chain of custody information. The third module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for arranging data into a specified format. The data includes the status of the item and the chain of custody information. The third module is also configured for transmitting the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Wellington, Brian R. Curren, David G. Wolfe, Kevin F. Seip
  • Patent number: 9195975
    Abstract: A transaction processing system for sending user information data to a personal device, and an associated method are provided. The system comprises: a personal device, such as a balance display card; an interface device, such as a card reader for transmitting data to and from the card; a communications network connecting to the interface device; an issuer processor connected to the communications network; and a trusted network processor (TNP) processor connected to the communications network, interposed between the interface device and the issuer processor. The TNP processor is arranged to receive a transaction request message from a card user and to transmit a response message back to the personal device, the response message typically being a transaction authorization together with information for display on the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MasterCard International Incorporated
    Inventors: Sebastien Pochic, Barry Alan Maidment, Mehdi Collinge, Fikret Ates
  • Patent number: 9177451
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer programs provide for implementing a mobile communication device, such as a smart telephone or the like, as a point of transaction for in-store purchases, such that all a customer needs to do is capture the coded indicia of products they desire (i.e., scan the products) with their mobile communication device as they shop and the purchase transaction will subsequently occur based on either the customer (in possession of the mobile communication device) being physically located in a designated area of the store or the lapse of a predetermined period of time from when the coded indicia was captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, David M. Grigg, Carrie Anne Hanson
  • Patent number: 9092765
    Abstract: A retail store purchasing system has a plurality of wearable mobile scanner systems with mobile tablet devices integration capability therein adapted to be carried by employees. Each wearable mobile scanner system comprises a mobile tablet device attached to a wearable base housing directly below it, and connected by a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling. The Main PCB has an EEPROM controlling operations of a USB scanner and MSR. The mobile tablet device has an application which allows wireless communication with a POS store systems server and also commands the EEPROM. A product to be purchased is scanned by activating a button associated with said wearable mobile scanner system. This scanned data is received through the Main PCB to the mobile tablet device USB port and is sent wirelessly to the POS store systems server to obtain product data concerning description, price, inventory and promotions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Patent number: 9047630
    Abstract: An exemplary method enables a user of a mobile device to make purchases. From the mobile device, the user sends a messaging service short code identifying a retailer, an item identifier for an item offered for sale by a retailer and information indicating the user's intent to purchase the item to the retailer via a mobile network. The method also includes steps of receiving cost information for the item, from the system of the retailer; determining if the user has authorized transactions with the retailer through the network, and confirming the purchase of the item with the system of the retailer. Upon authorization, the cost information for the item is recorded to the subscriber's account, which enables processing of the cost information for inclusion on a bill to the user together with billing for mobile communication service provided by the network for the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventor: Kumar Sanjeev
  • Patent number: 9037489
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for collecting access point information in linkage with a mobile card payment system to measure a location of a user using an access point of a wireless local area network (WLAN) service. The method may include (a) receiving payment information relating to a mobile communication terminal from a card company server, (b) transmitting an access point information collecting control signal to the mobile communication terminal based on the payment information, (c) receiving access point information collected by the mobile communication terminal in response to the control signal, and (d) storing the received access point information in a storage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KT Corporation
    Inventor: Seung-Hyuk Jeong
  • Patent number: 8775280
    Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a financial plan, a financials notification, a bank directory entry file and/or a direct debit mandate business object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Sandra Zech, Joachim Welte, Heiko Einsiedel, Till Oppert, Juergen A. Seyfried, Martin Osterloh, Jelena Wevelsiep-Djokic
  • Patent number: 8762288
    Abstract: The invention provides various systems and methods for establishing an identity confidence scoring system. The method includes gathering identity information about the customers from physical locations and from remote locations. The method updates the identity profiles with the gathered identity information, and based on the gathered identity information, generates an identity confidence score associated with each identity profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventor: Matthew Leland Dill
  • Patent number: 8756124
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may be used in various regulation-heavy industries, such as pharmaceutical, biomedical, construction, energy, heavy industry, and similar industries with large regulatory and/or safety considerations. The present invention describes a track-and-trace solution based on unique item-level QR codes printed on product packaging and encoding unique URLs to enable granular, item-level product management. In some embodiments of the invention, the information presented to users who access these unique URLs is tailored based on product usability information provided from authorized supply chain participants, the role of the user in the supply chain, and/or regulation required data comprising product safety data as required by regulations from a regulatory agency. Embodiments of the invention may be used for the purposes of item authentication, anti-counterfeiting measures, product recall management, and the efficient distribution of supplementary product information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: AgileQR, Inc.
    Inventors: Foster Joseph Sayers, III, Albert Ho, Charles Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 8744921
    Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, exchanging value between a service buyer and a service provider. The technology involves establishing a virtual funds account associated with the service buyer. A request for services is received from the service buyer, which includes an amount that the service buyer is willing to pay for the services. An indication that the service provider will perform the services for the service buyer is received, and a hold is placed in the buyer's virtual funds account on an amount of virtual funds corresponding to the amount that the service buyer is willing to pay for the services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sears Brands, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Rhett Butler
  • Patent number: 8738219
    Abstract: A controller for indicating whether a previously-detected, acceleration-sensor malfunction no longer exists. The controller includes an electronic memory and an electronic processing unit connected to the electronic memory. The electronic processing module includes a malfunction monitoring module, a failure handling module, and a signal checking module. The signal checking module performs a signal check after the malfunction monitoring module generates the fault signal. The signal check includes executing a signal check function with a longitudinal acceleration signal. Also disclosed is a vehicle including the controller, and a method executed by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Henrik Bechtler, Ravi Bhadange, Nachiket Patil, Takeshi Tokonaga, Stefan Mallmann, Michael Schwab, Dietmar Stapel, Willy Klier, Joerg Eesmann
  • Patent number: 8725578
    Abstract: A system that authorizes a financial transaction is presented. During operation, the system receives a request to authorize accounts associated with one or more financial instruments to be used to fulfill the financial transaction. Next, the system determines a transaction location at which the financial transaction is being performed. The system then determines whether the accounts are authorized to be used at the transaction location. If so, the system authorizes the accounts to be used to fulfill the financial transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Weiss, Jim Del Favero, Todd M. Fitch
  • Patent number: 8712687
    Abstract: A determining system for localization methods combination which determines a combination of a plurality of localization methods used in a vehicle includes: a unit that stores therein a localization accuracy influence parameter which is determined for each position in a travel environment; a unit that stores therein a relation between the localization accuracy influence parameter and a localization accuracy of each of a plurality of the localization methods; a unit that stores therein correspondence information between the localization accuracy influence parameter and each of the localization methods; a unit that acquires the localization accuracy influence parameter in the travel environment; and a unit that acquires the correspondence information on the localization accuracy influence parameter, references the relation based on the correspondence information, and thereby predicts a localization accuracy of each of the localization methods at each position in the travel environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Hara
  • Patent number: 8682790
    Abstract: The present invention provides for flexibility regarding the posting of point of sale transactions to particular billing cycles within an account. Embodiments comprise posting a point of sale transaction to a first billing cycle and then transferring the point of sale transaction to a second billing cycle, whereas a variation first selects a billing cycle and then posts the point of sale transaction to the selected billing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald John Rosenberger
  • Patent number: 8676437
    Abstract: A vehicle test system including a plurality of apparatuses mutually communicable via a network. A control apparatus included in the apparatuses controls two or more objects in the vehicle by using respective control modules each having fault detecting module used to detect fault in the object being controlled. A test apparatus connected to the control apparatus commands any one of the control module included in the control apparatus in order to read out fault information in the objects. The control apparatus generates, in response to the test apparatus, a response command indicative of the fault information detected by the fault detecting module and transmits the response command to the test apparatus via the network. The response commands includes both fault information corresponding to the control module to which the test apparatus commands and fault information corresponding to the other control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 8626620
    Abstract: Methods and devices for charging a user for access to a service accessible via a communication network are disclosed. At least two charging-related states are defined for the communication network. A tariff proposal entity associated with the user determines one or more tariff proposals for charging the user for accessing the service and sends the one or more tariff proposals to a rating entity. The rating entity analyzes the one or more tariff proposals in relation to a current charging-related state of the at least two charging-related states, wherein it is determined if at least one of the one or more tariff proposals complies with at least one tariff setting associated with the current charging-related state. The rating entity further selects a tariff of the at least one complying tariff proposals for charging the user for access to the service and initiates a charging of the user for access to the service according to the selected tariff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Marko Schuba, Raphaƫl Quinet, Rainer Hansen
  • Patent number: 8612317
    Abstract: Visually presenting spending behavior, spending patterns, and spending activity to a consumer across of their all receipt based purchase transactions. Receipt data is received at a first or host computer from respective transaction processing devices or host systems of respective merchants, or received from self-service action of the consumer, and identifies respective goods or services purchased by the consumer. A user interface is displayed to the consumer and comprises a thumbnail arrangement of discrete objects, each of which represents respective receipts generated by respective transaction or transaction processing devices. A discrete object may comprise data of one or multiple goods or services and includes category indicators that visually inform the consumer about the type of good or service. Embodiments may also involve requesting receipt data utilizing a mobile communication device, searching receipt data collected by the computer and responding to the request with requested receipt data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Susan A. Harman, Ronald J. Char, Abraham Zafar, Ojas R. Sitapara
  • Patent number: 8606667
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for managing a software subscription between an independent software vendor (ISV) and a cloud network provider. In embodiments, the software subscription can be a Software as a Service (SaaS) agreement whereby an amount of resources of the cloud network to be operated by end users can be specified. In embodiments, a resource tracking module associated with the cloud network can track the actual amount of resources operated by the end users in executing applications associated with the ISV. The resource tracking module can compare the actual amount to the amount specified in the SaaS, and adjust the resources of the cloud network accordingly. In embodiments, the SaaS can be updated based on the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Ferris, Gerry Edward Riveros
  • Patent number: 8600881
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for using a point of sale (POS) terminal as part of an electronic payment transaction. A unique number, code, alphanumeric character string, or other form of identification is assigned to each terminal manufacturer. Each terminal manufacturer then assigns a unique global identifier to each terminal they manufacture. The identifier assigned by the manufacturer may incorporate or be derived from the unique identifier assigned to each manufacturer. In the course of an electronic payment, other form of transaction, or other function or operation of the terminal, the POS terminal's unique global identifier is provided to a payment processor or other electronic payment network entity. This information, alone or in combination with portable consumer device data and transaction data, may be used to provide new services, content, and products to consumers or merchants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Loc Duc Nguyen, Chris S. Nelson, Charles Quach
  • Patent number: 8577810
    Abstract: A method to authorize a mobile payment for a transaction. The method includes receiving a facial image of a consumer who requests the mobile payment for the transaction using account information stored in a mobile device of the consumer, wherein the facial image is provided by a point-of-sale (POS) device while initiating the transaction on behalf of the consumer, receiving a verified facial image of an account holder, comparing the facial image of the consumer and the verified facial image of the account holder based on a pre-determined criterion to verify the consumer as the account holder, generating, in response to verifying the consumer as the account holder, an authorization of the mobile payment based on the account information, and sending the authorization to the POS device to complete the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Gregory Dalit, Colin J. Roper