Patents Examined by April Taylor
  • Imaging reader with asymmetrical magnification
    Patent number: 8777105
    Abstract: A solid-state imager is mounted in a reader, such as a bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation, for capturing light along an optical axis over a field of view from coded indicia. An optical assembly including non-rotationally symmetrical optics is operative for optically modifying and asymmetrically magnifying an image of the indicia and the field of view of the imager along mutually orthogonal directions generally perpendicular to the optical axis, and for increasing resolution of the imager along one of the directions. Preferably, the non-rotationally symmetrical optics includes a cylindrical lens having an aspherical profile along the one direction, and a planar profile along the other of the directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vinogradov, Michael Veksland, Heng Zhang
  • System and method for offering and managing online purchasing card transactions
    Patent number: 8740070
    Abstract: A purchase card system configured in accordance with the invention offers purchase card products that facilitate online purchases of life sciences research products and/or services via an e-commerce application. The acquisition and use of such purchase card products complies with mandated procurement, spending, and appropriations rules, regulations, and laws, such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the Anti-Deficiency Act, and the Department of Defense “bona fide needs” rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Andrea Cline, Marilyn Parks, Johannes Weigand, Abram Lietz, Yolette Hunt, Brendan Fogarty
  • Apparatus and method for supplying an RFID component with energy
    Patent number: 8733664
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying an RFID component with energy includes an antenna and an energy store. The energy store stores energy induced into the antenna by an alternating electromagnetic field during a first time interval. In addition, the energy store supplies the RFID component with stored energy in order to maintain its functionality during a later, second time interval if an energy induced by an alternating electromagnetic field during the later, second time interval is not sufficient for supplying the RFID component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Friedrich-Alexander Universitaet Erlangen-Nuernberg
    Inventors: Andreas Loeffler, Uwe Wissendheit, Dina Kuznetsova, Heinz Gerhaeuser
  • Methods and systems for validating negotiable instruments
    Patent number: 8733633
    Abstract: Methods and systems for validating a negotiable instrument. One method can include obtaining an electronic image of the negotiable instrument, electronically determining a first value and a second value of the negotiable instrument based on the electronic image, and automatically validating the negotiable instrument if the first value is substantially equal to the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Certegy Check Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Bates
  • Magnetic stripe track signal having multiple communications channels
    Patent number: 8727219
    Abstract: An electronic card (e.g., an electronic payment card) or another device (e.g., a wireless telephonic device) is provided that may communicate dynamic magnetic stripe data to a magnetic stripe reader. Information may be embedded into a magnetic track of data representative of additional information such as, for example, a unique identification number or an additional track of magnetic stripe data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Mullen
  • Dynamic discount device
    Patent number: 8695877
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods are disclosed for interacting with a multiple criteria buying and/or selling system to conduct business electronically. A dynamic discount card is disclosed according to an aspect of the present invention. The dynamic discount card comprises an information access component for receiving information and a presentation component for displaying information to a user via the dynamic discount card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: eWinWin, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Mesaros
  • Electronic card
    Patent number: 8690055
    Abstract: An electronic card has a power source, a user selection mechanism operable to allow a user to select a customization variable for a single transaction, a processor for generating a transaction specific data packet that includes a card number and a customized number and an electronic communication device operable to cause the data packet to be read by a read head of a magnetic strip reader. The electronic communication device is operable to dynamically convey the transaction specific data packet to a read head of a magnetic card reader so that the transaction specific data packet is read by the read head. The transaction specific data packet is dynamically generated for use by the card for the single transaction of the card and the customized number is determined based upon the customization variable selected by the user selection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: PrivaSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy L. Anderson, Jacob Y Wong, Larry Routhenstein
  • Steganography with photo-responsive dyes
    Patent number: 8678290
    Abstract: An article identifier or code including at least one photo-responsive dye and a method of encoding or embedding information in same. A reader device for decoding or extracting information in an article identifier or code and verifying or authenticating that information and the associated extraction and authentication methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Adams, Richard Allen Vaughn, Joe M. Wright
  • Payment methods with a payment service and tabs selected by a first party and opened by a second party at any geographic location of the first party's mobile device
    Patent number: 8662389
    Abstract: A method of paying a second party is provided. A first party accesses the names of one or more qualified second parties. The second parties (i) have an association with the payment service, and (ii) if they do not have an established association with the payment service have established one prior to payment. The first party has an association with the payment service. A tab is opened by the first party that can be selected by the second party at any geographic location of a first party's mobile device. The second party is only able to charge a first party's financial account when the first party's mobile device is within a defined geographic area. The tab is a relationship between the first party, payment service and second party. The second party can engage in a financial transaction when the first party is within the defined geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Dorsey, William Henderson, Brian Grassadonia, Jim McKelvey
  • Self-service terminal
    Patent number: 8651372
    Abstract: A self-service terminal includes a first cabinet, a cover rotatably secured on the first cabinet, and an adjustment device received in the first cabinet. A card slot for inputting/outputting a cash card is defined in the cover, and a positioning member is attached to the user interface cover. The adjustment device includes a positioning tray and a mounting member slidably secured to the positioning tray. A reader is attached to the positioning tray and includes an interface. The mounting member includes a slanted side plate abutting the positioning tray; wherein the positioning member is engaged with the positioning tray, for aligning with the interface of the reader and the card slot of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kun Shih, Si-Long Li, Yang-Jie Luo, Wan-Cheng Luo, Xiang-Xiong Xiao, Jie Peng
  • System and method for payment card industry enterprise account number elimination
    Patent number: 8651374
    Abstract: A system and method replaces credit card numbers in systems that are customer facing with token Ids to thereby reduce exposure to credit card number theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jim Brabson, Marie Ritscher
  • Radio frequency transponder
    Patent number: 8636221
    Abstract: A transponder including a transponder circuit, wherein a first surface of the transponder has an adhesive backing that allows the transponder to be attached to an article. A second surface of the transponder may include a material having a high coefficient of friction such that, when the transponder is attached to the article, the material impedes the article from slipping on an external surface. The transponder may also include a substrate layer, wherein a first surface of the substrate layer is the first surface of the transponder, and a second layer that includes the transponder circuit, the second layer being disposed on the substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Greenclay International Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Leonard Wee
  • System and method for accepting closed loop cards and codes at a merchant point of sale
    Patent number: 8631999
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for redeeming a closed loop card/code funded with an amount of money. The system receives from a merchant point of sale an indication of use of a closed loop card/code not issued by the merchant and presented by a consumer, queries and receives a confirmation of an amount of money in an account associated with the closed loop card/code, presents the consumer with an offer to buy the closed loop card/code at a discount price, and upon accepting the offer, closes out the closed loop card/code and pays the discount price to the consumer. Paying the discount price can include applying the discount price to a purchase by the consumer at the merchant. The merchant can provide cash back to the consumer for excess value of the discount price over the consumer's purchase. Merchants can apply more than the discount price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: GiftCodes.com, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wolfe, Mark Romanelli, Sanjay Akut, Mike Kelly, Mary Jane Kelly
  • Mobile device search mechanism
    Patent number: 8616449
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture for interacting with a multiple criteria buying and/or selling system to conduct business electronically. In particular, the architecture can include a dynamic discount card that includes an information access component for receiving information. In addition, the dynamic discount card can include a presentation component for displaying information to a user via the dynamic discount card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: eWinWin, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Mesaros
  • Systems and methods for processing a transaction associated with a contactless transaction card
    Patent number: 8616441
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for processing a transaction associated with a contactless transaction card. In one embodiment, a method for processing a transaction associated with a contactless transaction card can be provided. The method can include polling for at least one transaction application program via a contactless transaction card reader. Further, the method can include receiving account information from the contactless transaction card via the contactless transaction card reader. In addition, the method can include activating a corresponding transaction application program based at least in part on the received account information. Moreover, the method can include advancing a transaction counter associated with the contactless transaction card and a transaction counter associated with the corresponding transaction application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Edward L. F. Mastrangelo, Steven W Mathison
  • Data storage medium provided with a security characteristic
    Patent number: 8602313
    Abstract: A multilayer data carrier having a substrate on which there is formed a security element having a metal layer, the element showing an optical effect from a viewing side. In the metal layer there are formed recesses that are not, or at best poorly, recognizable to the naked eye in daylight and form a marking. However, the presence of the marking is recognizable from a suitable viewing angle and upon suitable illumination. Preferably there is located under the metal layer a fluorescent layer which causes the marking (60) to become visible upon illumination by UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Peer-Alexander Komarek, Martin Zöller
  • Bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols
    Patent number: 8602309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bar code reading device for reading 1D or 2D bar code symbols. The bar code reading device, in one embodiment, can receive a command to disable symbology reading. In another embodiment, a bar code reading device can have a timercount and an image memory. In one embodiment, a bar code reading device can be configured to read bar code symbols of more than one bar code symbology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Longacre, Jr., Robert M. Hussey, Thomas J. Koziol, Michael A. Ehrhart
  • Discounts in a mobile device
    Patent number: 8590785
    Abstract: A buying group discount system includes a universal discount card to provide discounts, rewards and/or offers to consumers participating in a buying group. Consumer purchases are aggregated with transactions of the entire buying group. Rewards and discounts are released to the buying group when the aggregated purchases satisfied criteria specified in a reward policy established by sellers. Furthermore, mechanisms are provided to enable the universal discount card to be positioned to provide contextual flash offers or advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: eWinWin, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Mesaros
  • Location based discounts
    Patent number: 8584940
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture for interacting with a multiple criteria buying and/or selling system to conduct business electronically. In particular, the architecture can include a dynamic discount card that includes an information access component for receiving information. In addition, the dynamic discount card can include a presentation component for displaying information to a user via the dynamic discount card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: eWinWin, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Mesaros
  • Banking system controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records
    Patent number: 8579192
    Abstract: An automated banking machine is part of a banking system that operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. A card account's status is listed in a data store as either blocked or unblocked for use in approving transactions on the account. A requested transaction on an account cannot be carried out by the machine unless the account has an unblocked status. Read card data is sent from the machine to a remote card security computer which can determine the card account status from the data store. If the account is unblocked, then the machine can continue with the requested transaction and seek transaction approval from a transaction host computer associated with the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Willis Miller, Matthew R Zaugg, James Block, H Thomas Graef, Natarajan Ramachandran, Jeffery M Enright, Mark A Douglass, Michael Scanlon, Dale H Blackson