Patents Examined by Daniel A. Hess
  • Patent number: 11182577
    Abstract: A plurality of image frames is received. A line of text comprising a nutritional ingredient and a corresponding frame-specific quantity is recognized in each of at least a subset of the image frames. A reported quantity for the nutritional ingredient is determined based at least in part on the respective corresponding frame-specific quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Titan School Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Karim Mastrobuono, Tianfu Dai
  • Patent number: 11176541
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a smart card which enables users to initiate a transaction or money transfer using voice commands. The apparatus and methods may include a smart card. The smart card may be responsive to voice commands and support electronic communication with a payment network. The smart card may include a housing, a network interface controller including a wireless communication interface, a voice controller, an active near-field communication chip, a microprocessor, a battery and/or an activation button. The smart card may also include executable instructions stored in a non-transitory memory, that when run by the microprocessor, detect and capture a first audio message via the voice controller and perform speaker-dependent speech recognition on the captured audio message to identify whether or not an authorized user of the smart card generated the audio message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: Saurabh Gupta
  • Patent number: 11164148
    Abstract: An inventory location, such as a shelf, may be used to stow different types of items in different areas of the shelf. Interactions may take place, such as the pick or place of items from the shelf. Weight data acquired from weight sensors at the shelf may be used to generate a set of hypotheses to describe types and quantities of items added to or removed from the shelf during an interaction. One or more of these hypotheses may be eliminated from consideration or selected as a solution based on activity data related to the shelf. The activity data is based on non-weight data from a non-weight sensor associated with the shelf. As an example, image data from a camera directed to the shelf can help identify presence of a user or a change in appearance at an area of the shelf to help evaluate hypotheses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gopi Prashanth Gopal, Kun Qian, Ramanathan Palaniappan, Navid Shiee, Jack G. Song
  • Patent number: 11151345
    Abstract: A charge-transfer material enables patterning approach where the polarization angle in stand-alone films can be precisely defined at the single pixel level and reconfigured following initial alignment. This capability enables new routes for non-binary information storage, retrieval, and intrinsic encryption, and it suggests future technologies such as photonic chips that can be reconfigured using non-contact patterning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan James Kaehr, Joseph J. Reczek, Madeline Van Winkle, Harper O. W. Wallace
  • Patent number: 11151846
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes: detecting, by an automated teller machine, a trigger event; in response to detecting the trigger event, determining a current configuration of at least one cassette loaded into the automated teller machine; automatically configuring one or more user interface settings of the automated teller machine based on the current configuration of the at least one cassette; and presenting a user interface based on the one or more user interface settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: The Toronto-Dominion Bank
    Inventors: A Warren Pratten, Vincent Fazio, Anthony Wayne Miles, Nigel John Shipley
  • Patent number: 11151346
    Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to decode a symbol in a digital image. A digital image of a portion of a symbol is received, which includes a grid of pixels and the symbol includes a grid of modules. A spatial mapping is determined between a contiguous subset of modules in the grid of modules to the grid of pixels. Causal relationships are determined, using the spatial mapping, between each module and the grid of pixels. A set of valid combinations of values of neighboring modules in the contiguous subset of modules are tested against the grid of pixels using the causal relationships. A value of at least one module of the two or more neighboring modules is determined based on the tested set of valid combinations. The symbol is decoded based on the determined value of the at least one module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Bachelder, James A. Negro
  • Patent number: 11151521
    Abstract: A system for performing secure maintenance on automated machines may include a maintenance management apparatus and an automated machine. The maintenance management apparatus is configured for scheduling the maintenance appointment for the automated machine, in response to scheduling the maintenance appointment and creating and communicating a maintenance security code to the automated machine. The automated machine is configured for receiving a request from a maintenance provider to initiate the maintenance appointment, validating the maintenance provider using the maintenance security code and providing access to a secure item storage unit, determining that the maintenance provider has completed the maintenance appointment, and communicating information associated with the maintenance appointment to the maintenance management apparatus and/or a computing device of the maintenance provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Dryer, Jeffrey R. Goertz, Douglas Scott Wilson, Carl Parziale, Michael Matthew Wisser, Edwin Andrew Wegleitner, Colleen Marie Powers, Gary L. Best, Jr., Jennifer Ann Raley
  • Patent number: 11151541
    Abstract: A method for peer-to-peer prepaid card accounts can create a prepaid card that can receive donations through a QR code disposed on the physical card. Restrictions can also be placed on the card to control where or how the funds may be used. The method can, in response to receiving a request at a card management service to create an account, obtain account information, wherein the account information comprises a user name, an account number, a QR code image, and optionally a biometric data. The account information can be stored as a card account for the user, which is funded by receiving a payment from a second party using the QR code. Then, when a card holder uses the card for a transaction, the card management service can function as an issuer to authorize its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: VOCALINK LIMITED
    Inventors: Steven Paul Jackets, Nicola Guiso, Alana Georgia Deighan, Fiona Emily Benton Robinson, Ivan Jordanov Katsarov
  • Patent number: 11151845
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving, by a computing device from a customer device, a request to provision a financial account for the customer, associating, by the computing device, a mobile device with the requested financial account, and sending, by the computing device to the mobile device, authentication information for the requested financial account. The method further includes receiving the authentication information by the computing device from a financial terminal that received the authentication information from the mobile device, receiving, by the computing device, first location information of the mobile device, and provisioning, by the computing device and based on the first location information of the mobile device being within a predetermined distance of a location of the financial terminal, the requested financial account for the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: Shari Van Cleave, Darren Michael Goetz, Dennis Emmanuel Montenegro
  • Patent number: 11134798
    Abstract: A vison-based self-checkout terminal is provided. Purchased items are placed on a base and multiple cameras take multiple images of each item placed on the base. A location for each item placed on the base is determined along with a depth and the dimensions of each item at its given location on the base. Each item's images are then cropped, and item recognition is performed for each item on that item's cropped images with that item's corresponding depth and dimension attributes. An item identifier for each item is obtained along with a corresponding price and a transaction associated with items are completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Qian Yang, Frank Douglas Hinek, Dharamendra Kumar, Matias Gabriel Szylkowski Resnikow, Brent Vance Zucker
  • Patent number: 11126906
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder is provided, comprising a modulator and a controller, wherein: the modulator is configured to generate a modulated signal to be transmitted to an external RFID reader; the controller is configured to increase a transmitter impedance during a first period of time; the controller is configured to decrease the transmitter impedance by enabling the modulator during a second period of time. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder is conceived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Pichler
  • Patent number: 11113917
    Abstract: A method for implementing banknote counting includes: if counterfeit banknote is detected in the banknote counting process, recording the sequence, the denomination, and the quantity of the counterfeit banknote; extracting the counterfeit banknote and calculating the amount of the counterfeit banknote; determining, according to a user identity information, whether a circulation amount of counterfeit currency and number of times of circulation of counterfeit currency having a mapping relationship to the user identity information exist in a preset counterfeit currency circulation database; if existing, updating the circulation amount of counterfeit currency and changing the number of times of circulation of counterfeit currency; and if the updated circulation amount of counterfeit currency is greater than a preset amount threshold and the updated number of times of circulation of counterfeit currency is greater than a preset number of circulation threshold, sending an investigation instruction to the public sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Comix Business Machine(Shenzhen)Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qinpeng Chen
  • Patent number: 11113915
    Abstract: The invention provides for a system for processing tendered ballots. A table for a poll worker is provided on which the ballots are sorted and processed. A camera is directed to the work space on the table. The image from the camera is both digitally stored and provided to the poll watchers via a viewing screen. The poll worker then knows that his actions are being monitored and recorded, thereby reducing thoughts of trying to “fix” the vote.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Ellery Ogram
  • Patent number: 11115787
    Abstract: A code attribution control system includes unique codes. Each code is arranged or marked openly accessible legible or scannable on a sales item. One or more of the sales items is openly and freely displayed and for sale within a physical border of a physical shop. The item initially is allocated a status code attribute as “not sold” in said attribution control system, wherein for a consumer to establish ownership or indication of ownership of the item, the consumer scans and registers the code outside the border of the shop. The status code attribute is changed to “sold” in the attribution control system, after which owner restricted services related to the item will be made available to the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: KEZZLER AS
    Inventor: Magnar Løken
  • Patent number: 11105690
    Abstract: To address the problem of providing a temperature history indicator capable of specifying a time when a temperature deviated from a set temperature range, a temperature history indicator according to the present invention is characterized in being provided with a substrate and temperature indicators that irreversibly change color upon deviation from a set temperature range, and in that a plurality of the temperature indicators are provided on the substrate, the temperatures at which the temperature indicators change color a within ±2° C. of each other, and the temperature indicators change color after different amounts of time from deviation from the set temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Tada, Tomotoshi Ishida, Hiroshi Sasaki, Kohhei Aida, Masahiro Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 11104177
    Abstract: A structure for secure containment of information (SSCI) that is in the form of a laminate which includes at least two layers. The laminate is constructed to contain information such as a code, serial number, informational feature, encryption key or personal identification number (PIN). The information is located between the layer of the laminate such that the code, serial number, informational feature, encryption key, or PIN is not detectable from outside the laminate. The SSCI is configured to provide access and expose the code, serial number, informational feature, encryption key, or PIN by delaminating at least one layer, thereby indicating that tampering has occurred to the laminate. The SSCI can also function as a public key or private key for a blockchain, to provide access to a physical lock or to provide account access to claim financial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventors: Adam Trexler, Laurie Johansen, Paul Diffendaffer, Kelda Diffendaffer
  • Patent number: 11100816
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selecting a face material for a printable label and to a printed label comprising the face material, which is selected by the method. According to an embodiment the method comprises preselecting steps, printing step(s) comprising printing of the preselected face materials using printing method(s) providing a human-readable information and a machine-readable information, evaluating steps, and a final selecting step comprising selecting of the face material, which comprises the human-readable information exhibiting a halftone resolution at least 30 L/cm and the machine-readable information exhibiting final data area module size less than 1.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: UPM RAFLATAC OY
    Inventor: Markku Koivisto
  • Patent number: 11093589
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward a mobile device that can be used in a secure access system. More specifically, the mobile device can have credential data loaded thereon remotely updated, enabled, disabled, revoked, or otherwise altered with a message sent from, for example, a control panel and/or controller in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Peter R. Lowe
  • Patent number: 11089120
    Abstract: QR codes or the like are used in hardlink applications, by which different users may receive different information in response to a user's interaction with a touchpoint. The content delivered to a particular user in response to a hardlink code or a presented hyperlink may be dependent on the time of the scan, the geographic location of the user, a weather condition at the geographical location, personal information associated with the user, a number of previous scans of the code by prior individuals, and any combination of the these or other variables, which may be determined by an originator of the QR code or other party. User devices may be re-directed to alternate content or network addresses based on one or more programmed conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: LIFE IN MOBILE INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John W. Lim, John M. Packes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11087316
    Abstract: An electronic tag to be authenticated by a system in an authentication phase includes a tag memory. The tag memory stores an encryption key and an information table. The information table has a specific storing attribute quantified with a predetermined value, and is read according to the predetermined value by the system after the authentication phase. The encryption key is derived from the predetermined value, and decrypted by the system in the authentication phase for authentication of the electronic tag. A system and method for securing an electronic tag is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION CO.
    Inventor: Jim Tung-Hai Chow