Patents Examined by Christle Marshall
  • Patent number: 8202014
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head, a holding tray on which a first recording material is set and which is configured to be advanced and retracted in a linear path between a first position wherein it opposes the recording head and a second position wherein it is retracted from the first position, a reverse transporting portion for transporting a second recording material which is set under the second position while reversing the second recording material in a U shape, and a path forming member for guiding the reversed, another recording material to the linear path after the recording material is bypassed above the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Komuro, Nobuhiko Shinozaki, Tomoya Takikawa
  • Patent number: 8201726
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a point-of-sale register apparatus may include first and second printers supported by a printer stand. The printer stand may arrange the first and second printers in a vertical array so as to efficiently use the space at the point-of-sale register. In some embodiments, the vertical array of printers is positioned near a user's hands and within a user's immediate line of sight when viewing the register's display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Scott, Terrance Francis Purcell, Mitchell W. Knoll, Joseph R. Guggenberger
  • Patent number: 8196826
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices utilize RFID devices in order to provide integrated information for receivables, inventory, and/or transactions from point of sale (POS) devices and cash handling device(s) to accounting systems. Transactions (e.g., debit card, credit card, coin, cash, check, etc.) are allowed at POS devices. The transactions may be communicated to cash handling devices through RFID devices (e.g., coupled to or on tills, receipts, printouts, etc.). Transaction-related materials (e.g., paper currency, coins, checks, receipts, etc.) may be moved from the POS devices to cash handling device(s). Actual counts and expected counts may be determined and may be communicated to accounting systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Amy Baker Folk, Daniel Christopher Bohen
  • Patent number: 8191781
    Abstract: An automated access control system and method in one embodiment includes a storage rack comprising a plurality of storage compartments, a user port, a memory including program instructions for placing a key within one of the plurality of storage compartments, associating the key with the one of the plurality of storage compartments, identifying a user, associating the user and the stored key, removing the stored key from the one of the plurality of storage compartments, and making the removed key accessible to the user at the user port, and a processor operably connected to the memory for executing the program instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Theresa A. Heinz, Jack W. Craig, Adam D. Piverotto
  • Patent number: 8182163
    Abstract: A label roll positioning device is provided for a barcode printer and includes at least one slide rail, at least one positioning rail, and at least one pair of roll retainers. The slide rail and the positioning rail are arranged in a parallel manner inside a housing of the barcode printer. The positioning rail forms teeth on a surface thereof. At least one of the roll retainers has a bottom forming a mounting portion that is slidably fit and mounted to the slide rail for being slidable along the slide rail. The roll retainers are spaced to receive a roll of label therebetween in a securely held manner. The roll retainer is provided therein at least one positioning plug having an end forming a locking section. The positioning plug can be downward driven to have the locking section downward projecting out of the roll retainer, and the positioning plug can be upward driven to have the locking section back into concealment inside the roll retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Shih Kuo, Chin-Chuan Liu
  • Patent number: 8181884
    Abstract: The present invention provides machine-readable features for objects, both physical and electronic. One claim recites an object including a substrate and a machine-readable code provided on the substrate, the object further includes a material deposited on or incorporated in the substrate, where the material is alterable to change the machine-readable code. Another claim recites a method including: obtaining an object including a machine-readable code; reading the machine-readable code; and changing the machine-readable code in response to said act of reading. Of course, other claims are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: Tony F. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8182162
    Abstract: A barcode label retention device is provided for a barcode printer. The barcode label retention device includes s at least one pair of label roll retainers, at least one pair of resilient elements, and at least one pair of fixing plates. The label roll retainers are mounted inside a housing of a barcode printer and spaced from each other to receive and retain a label roll therebetween. The resilient elements are arranged inside each label roll retainer, and the fixing plates are arranged inside each label roll retainer. The fixing plate is connected to the resilient element to provide the fixing plate with resiliency for inward depressibility or outward biasing so that a front portion of the fixing plate projects inwards beyond the label roll retainer to abut against opposite ends of the label roll, whereby the label roll can be securely held by the two fixing plates engaging the opposite ends thereof and the path of a winding/unwinding operation can be stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Shih Kuo, Chin-Chuan Liu
  • Patent number: 8181871
    Abstract: A portable encoded information reading (EIR) terminal for incorporation in a data collection system can comprise a terminal module communicatively coupled to a wireless interface module via a wired interface. The terminal module can include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an encoded information reading (EIR) device. The wireless interface module can include a microcontroller, a memory, and at least one wireless communication interface. The wireless interface module can establish one or more wireless links with one or more peer EIR terminals, to join a wireless network which is collectively formed by the peer EIR terminals. The wireless interface module can receive or transmit beacons containing at least an identifier of a path selection protocol which is used for unicast, multicast and broadcast frame transmission within the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, Huyu Qu
  • Patent number: 8177446
    Abstract: A carbon ribbon retaining mechanism includes a barcode-printer base, an upper cover, a printing head device, and at least one pair of resilient fastener elements. The barcode-printer base has an upper portion forming a receiving space. The upper cover is coupled to the receiving space of the barcode-printer base for being downward closed to and covering the receiving space. At least one pawl is respectively formed on opposite edge portions of the upper cover. The printing head device is accommodated in the receiving space. A carbon ribbon retention shaft is arranged above the printing head device. The resilient fastener elements are mounted above the printing head device. By means of the engagement effected between the pawls of the upper cover and the resilient fastener elements, the upper cover is fixed to and above the printing head device to cover the receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Shih Kuo, Chin-Chuan Liu
  • Patent number: 8177132
    Abstract: Methods and devices provide for a cash handling device to dispense funds for a transfer into a container. RFID indicia may be generated as a receipt and imprinted directly on the container. Alternatively, RFID indicia may be printed and affixed to the container in the form of a tag, ticket, label, sticker, etc. Transportation carriers may use an RFID reader to read the receipt one or more times at one or more locations in order to collect data for data tracking purposes. Notifications may be provided to a bank regarding the transfer. A bank may alter staffing needs based on any such notification. The bank may use an RFID reader to read data from the receipt and compare to verified data in order to identify any discrepancies for the transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Christopher Bohen, Amy Baker Folk, William Thomas Sanders, Shane Anthony Johnson
  • Patent number: 8177138
    Abstract: A radio IC device that is highly efficient in transmitting signals from a radio IC to a radiation pattern includes a radio IC chip arranged to processes radio signals, an auxiliary electrode pattern that is connected to the radio IC chip and includes a loop-shaped electrode, and a radiation electrode pattern that includes a magnetic-field radiation electrode having a resonant frequency and an electric-field radiation electrode having a resonant frequency. The loop-shaped electrode of the auxiliary electrode pattern is coupled to a maximum-voltage section of the magnetic-field radiation electrode through a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Kato, Nobuo Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 8172137
    Abstract: Authentication of an individual can be performed even when the individual does not have physical identification documents. A person provides a password, a contact number and at least one piece of human generated information to a company. When the person wants to establish identity, he/she first calls an agent of the company. The agent asks the caller questions that include the human generated information. If the agent is satisfied that the caller is the authorized person, the agent sends a code to the caller using the contact number. The caller can use the password and the code to later authenticate himself/herself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Hark C. Chan
  • Patent number: 8172145
    Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding a barcode or other optical code include identifying one or more sub-regions of image data that contain promising data based on a first set of edge detection parameters, transferring the promising data from a first memory location to a new memory location for further processing, and decoding the promising data based on a different set of edge detection parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert William Rudeen
  • Patent number: 8167228
    Abstract: A roll recording material transport device includes a driving side roll holder, a driven side roll holder, a driving side spindle, a driven side spindle, a spindle driving source, a driving side support mechanism, a driven side support mechanism, a transport roller, and an assist executing section. The assist executing section executes assist control in which a rotating force in the direction of transporting the roll of recording material is applied by the spindle driving source through the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder in an engaged state to the roll portion. The frictional force between the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder is set smaller than the frictional force between the driven side spindle and the driven side support mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kiyoto Komuro
  • Patent number: 8162311
    Abstract: A placing table includes a placing surface on which a substrate is placed; a suction unit which sucks the substrate to the placing surface; a separation unit which separates the substrate from the placing surface; and a rotation unit, being a part of the placing surface and rotating about a vertical axis with respect to the placing surface. In the table, the suction unit sucks the substrate to the placing surface at the rotation unit and the separation unit separates the substrate from a part of the placing surface excluding the rotation unit if the rotation unit is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Shinohara
  • Patent number: 8157462
    Abstract: The mechanism for opening and closing an operating cover of a printer having a discharge guide that remains in the same posture while moving in conjunction with opening and closing the operating cover prevents the gap between the discharge guide and the cover case of the operating cover from widening when the operating cover opens and closes. In a roll paper printer 1, the top end part 32a of the cover case 32 of an operating cover 3 is pivotably attached on the side of the discharge guide 5, which remains in the same posture while moving in conjunction with the cover 3 opening and closing. So that the cover case 32 does not separate from the cover frame 31 when the cover 3 opens and closes, a torsion spring 37 constantly urges the cover case 32 to open and close in unison with the cover frame 31 through an intervening connector arm 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 8157164
    Abstract: An institution system may approve a user for a financial card. The institution system may notify the user that an application for the financial card has been approved and may advise the user to go to an automated teller machine (ATM) to obtain the financial card. The ATM may generate a financial card and issue the financial card to the user. The financial card generated and issued by the ATM may be a newly issued card for the user, a card customized by the user, or a replacement card issued for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Bradly Jay Billman
  • Patent number: 8157461
    Abstract: A printer having one roller of a transportation roller pair attached to cover renders the mechanism pressing the transportation roller pair together and the damping mechanism used when opening the cover using few parts, compactly, and at low cost. A damper spring 27 prevents the cover unit 3 of the printer 1 from opening suddenly and forcefully. A roller support lever 38 having the first follower roller 33b disposed to the distal end thereof is attached rotatably and movably to the cover unit 3. The roller support lever 38 is urged by the damper spring 27, and the first follower roller 33b on the distal end thereof is pressed to the first transportation roller 33a on the printer frame 11 side. The damper spring 27 functions as the damping mechanism when the cover unit 3 opens, and as the pressure mechanism of the first transportation roller pair 33 when the cover unit 3 is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsugo Ishida, Masahiko Yamada, Rikuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 8118220
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for verifying the identity of a cardholder are provided. A digital representation of a magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe of the card is stored on a portable electronic device of the cardholder. During a transaction, the digital signature is then transmitted so that it can be compared with a reference signature. The identity may be verified, and a response sent to a party requesting the verification, e.g., during a transaction between the requesting party and the verified party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Xiang Fang, Patrick Faith, Craig Kato, Ayman Hammad, Krishan Prasad Koganti
  • Patent number: 8113426
    Abstract: A check processing module (CPM) is provided for a self-service check depositing terminal. The CPM comprises a substantially U-shaped plastic guide including (i) first and second leg portions forming the substantially U-shape, (ii) a surface which forms an opening in the first leg portion, and (ii) a releasing member which is disposed on the second leg portion. The CPM further comprises a shaft assembly including (i) a plastic shaft having opposite end portions and a central portion between the opposite end portions, (ii) a number of drive rollers disposed on the central portion, (iii) a first plastic race bearing attached to one end portion of the plastic shaft and disposed in the opening of the plastic guide, and (iv) a second plastic race bearing attached to the other end portion of the plastic shaft and secured by the releasing member to the plastic guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrik L. N. Kallin, Frank B. Dunn, Robert J. Ross, Owen H. Wilson