Patents Examined by April Taylor
  • Patent number: 7395968
    Abstract: A holographic laser scanner of ultra-compact design capable of reading bar and other types of graphical indicia within a large scanning volume using holographic optical elements and visible laser diodes. The holographic optical elements are arranged on the scanning disc in such a manner so that none of the laser scanning planes generated within the 3-D scanning volume of the system are spatially and temporally coincident with any other laser scanning plane within the 3-D scanning volume. This novel feature of the present invention ensures that there is substantially zero cross-talk at the plurality of photodetectors provided within the system, significantly improving the performance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: LeRoy Dickson, Frank Check, John Groot, C. Harry Knowles
  • Patent number: 7392940
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to initiate, facilitate, process and/or perform money transfers. One such method includes receiving a request for a transfer pair verification from a vendor location (360), and verifying that the transfer pair is associated with a valid transfer pair record (362). The method includes sending the transfer pair verification to the vendor location (368), receiving a money transfer request (370) associated with the transfer pair from the vendor location, and authorizing a money transfer (372) to at least one of a first and second customers associated with the transfer pair. In this manner, a vendor location, which may include a point-of-sale device and may be a retail outlet (e.g., grocery store, gas station, or the like), can be used to facilitate a money transfer between two customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Western Union Company
    Inventors: Kurt Hansen, Thomas Sayor
  • Patent number: 7383983
    Abstract: A system and method for managing content between different client devices in various domains (such as vehicle, home, and person). The system and method include receiving an input from a user on the first client device to pause the content. After receiving the input, the first client device determines whether the first client device is connected to a wireless communication system. If the first client device is connected to the wireless communication system, the first client device sends a data message to the second client device through a host system. In one embodiment, the second client device will then store the content in the second client device after receiving the data message to permit the user to resume playback of the content on the second client device. In another embodiment, the host system will store the content itself or access the content from a content provider and transfer the content directly to the second device with a data message that indicates the paused location of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Gaumond, Richard Mark Clayton, Parvathy Bhaskaran, Lee Callaway
  • Patent number: 7380720
    Abstract: An optical scanning system having an imaging optical system for imaging a plurality of light beams deflected by a deflecting surface of a optical deflector upon different scan surfaces. The imaging optical system includes an imaging optical element which has at least one optical surface defined, with respect to the sub-scan sectional plane, in accordance with different functions related to different regions. When with respect to the sub-scan sectional plane the plurality of light beams incident on one and the same deflecting surface of the optical deflector have the same reflection point thereon, there is relationship defined for a meridional line of the optical surface of the imaging optical element defined in accordance with the function, whereas when the plurality of light beams have different reflection points on the optical deflector, there is a different relationship for the meridional line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidekazu Shimomura
  • Patent number: 7377428
    Abstract: A communication terminal for connecting or mounting an IC card or the like to examine a ticket through a non-contact communication. The communication terminal includes a function for receiving information stored in the IC card or the like in the ticket examination process and controlling itself automatically. The communication terminal can automatically display the validity of a pass and/or the balance of a prepaid sum in a ticket. Also, the communication terminal can register a specific station so that an email in a pre-registered format is created or sent automatically in the ticket examination process at the registered station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Takaki, Makoto Katagishi, Osamu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7377425
    Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host. The transaction host provides transaction identifying data to the ATM. The ATM sends the transaction identifying data and check images to an image and transaction data server for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Songtao Ma, Sangeeta Huria, Tim Crews, Edward L. Laskowski
  • Patent number: 7374101
    Abstract: An adapter panel has an adapter where a connector including a wireless IC tag in a side surface is inserted or removed. The adapter panel includes a booster antenna placed in a position facing the wireless IC tag of the adapter when the connector is inserted to the adapter, and an equipment antenna placed in a surface of the adapter panel which is a reverse side of the surface where the connector is inserted or removed in a position corresponding to the booster antenna. The adapter panel is applicable to electronic equipment and a cable connector identification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7370798
    Abstract: A security mark having multiple optically orthogonal coaligned bar codes is produced using a reflection hologram visible substantially at only a first wavelength that is layered over a wavelength sensitive filter, which blocks light transmission at the first wavelength but transmits light at a second wavelength, and having beneath it an additional bar code visible through the hologram and the wavelength sensitive filter at the second wavelength. A validation means reads multiple holographic bar codes with light at the first wavelength by illuminating the hologram separately from multiple directions, and further reads the bar code beneath the wavelength sensitive filter by illuminating the mark with light of the second wavelength. By suitable choice of multi-directional and multi-wavelength illumination, multiple coaligned bar codes may be read in the same physical location with no mutual interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: IDX, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Juds
  • Patent number: 7370792
    Abstract: An ATM apparatus having a bulk sheet acceptor. The sheet acceptor is mounted in movable relation relative to a chest portion of the ATM. Access to an interior of the sheet acceptor for servicing may be made through an access opening. A service cover may be mounted at alternate mounting sites of the sheet acceptor housing in order to close the access opening. The interior of the sheet acceptor may be accessed by pivoting the cover on a set of tabs engaged in corresponding slots, or by selectively lifting the cover away from the tabs. The cover may be replaced by engagement of either a first set of tabs with corresponding first slots, or a second set of tabs with corresponding second slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, R. Matthew Dunlap, Zachary Utz, Daniel Schoeffler, Shawn Griggy, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 7370795
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are shown for providing information on a pill. A patient specific delivery apparatus for medicine using information on a pill or pills is shown as well, and a database with patient specific information may be provided, resulting in an individualized pharmacopoeia for a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Cybersoft, Inc.
    Inventors: Marie D. Radatti, Peter V. Radatti
  • Patent number: 7364086
    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: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ewinwin, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Mesaros
  • Patent number: 7357315
    Abstract: A customer interaction console may include a counter module and a customer-oriented display. The counter module may include one or more raised portions with the customer-oriented display integrated in one of the raised portions. A configurable console system may include a plurality of customer interaction consoles and a plurality of panel assemblies that may be positioned between consoles. The panel assemblies may include a panel and a wedge portion that receives the panel. The wedge portion may angle the console relative to the panel and to an adjacent consol to form different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Advantage Branch & Office Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Vergara, Harold Turner
  • Patent number: 7357301
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a problem ticket, which contains a priority level indicator and a customer identifier, that describes a telecommunications network event such as a problem. The problem ticket is associated with and transmitted to a workcenter and a portion within the workcenter based on at least any one of the priority level indicator and the customer identifier. Other personnel are notified about the problem ticket based on the priority level indicator and the customer identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Paritosh Bajpay, Hossein Eslambolchi, John McCanuel, Sridar Seetharaman
  • Patent number: 7350697
    Abstract: The present invention includes a merchant system that recognizes virtually any payment device or technology that uses electronic check processing as a payment mechanism. For example, the merchant system associates presentation of the payment device with information used to electronically debit a checking account, such as MICR data, and submits the same to a transaction processor capable of settling electronic debit transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignees: First Data Corporation, Western Union
    Inventors: Amy Swift, Lisa Tidwell, Cassandra Mollett
  • Patent number: 7344070
    Abstract: A POS system and method having a POS terminal, at least one input device for providing input data such as product sale information to said POS terminal, a POS server to enable the POS terminal to complete a POS transaction based upon such product sale information, a display device and a printing device further including an input/output control apparatus 12 and at least one function adding server 50 to enable the POS system to perform at least one new functional application without requiring any change in the POS system terminal or server. At least one of connection ports 21b to 23b of an input/output control apparatus 12 is connected to at least one the connection ports 21a to 23a of an existing POS terminal 30 having at least a POS printer 34, a input device 32, or a display 33 connected thereto. The input devices 32 to 34 conventionally connected to the ports 21a to 23a of the POS terminal 30 are connected to the corresponding ports of the I/O control apparatus 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nobutani
  • Patent number: 7344071
    Abstract: A voting system for storing voter input data on a voter selection card, which is capable of storing data for a plurality of candidates, and the system, subsequently, prints a ballot marked in accordance with data on the voter selection card. A voter-assist terminal receives a blank voter selection card, and then presents candidate selection options to the voter visually by means of an LCD touch screen menu and aurally by means of a synthesized speech menu. Candidate selections entered by means of the touch screen menu or by means of the audio menu are stored on the voter selection card, and the voter selection card is returned to the voter to take to a reader terminal. The reader terminal sends the stored data on the voter selection card to an attached printer which prints a marked ballot corresponding to the voter's selections. The ballot is inserted in a ballot scanning device, wherein the ballot is tallied and deposited in a locked ballot box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Automark Technical Systems LLC
    Inventors: Eugene M. Cummings, Gerald D. Hosier
  • Patent number: 7337969
    Abstract: A method for improving the readability of composite images by determining available areas on a document where no text or graphics will be printed in visible ink and printing one or more 2-D bar code with invisible ink at a size pre-determined based on the available areas. The one or more auxiliary 2-D bar codes are printed in luminescent ink, either invisible or lightly colored when viewed under white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Critelli, Judith D. Auslander, Perry A. Pierce, Charles R. Malandra, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7337947
    Abstract: A transaction card with a prepaid amount for spending is disclosed. The card may be funded through direct deposit, savings accounts, or any other source, for instance, specified by an individual setting up the transaction card. The card may be reloaded or reissued with more money on a periodic basis, for example, to control spending per period. Balances remaining on the card at the end of the period may be returned into a savings account or other accounts, as may be specified by the individual who set up the card or other authorized persons. The card may be set up to include a protection against overdraft, for instance, the card user may be allowed to spend ten percent more than the amount prepaid on the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Capitol One Financial Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Raymond Swanson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7334737
    Abstract: A thin film non volatile memory scalable to small sizes and its fabrication process are disclosed. The thin film memory includes a thin film transistor control circuitry fabricated on a flexible substrate, together with an optoelectronic cross bar memory employing a photoconducting material. The thin film non volatile memory can be used in RFID communication tag with the control circuitry further employing wireless communication circuitry such as an antenna, a receiver, and a transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Intelleflex Corp.
    Inventor: James Sheats
  • Patent number: 7331529
    Abstract: An input device for applying a signal depending on a user-operated key to an information processing device is disclosed which includes a plurality of keys including a function-key pad and a ten-key pad; and a communication section for transmitting data to and from a non-contact IC card or a device equivalent to a non-contact IC card; the communication section having an antenna housed in the input device and disposed above the ten-key pad and rightward of the function-key pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Itoshiro, Kazuki Taniguchi