Patents Examined by Ig T An
  • Patent number: 11072382
    Abstract: The disclosed is a vehicle for the autonomous transport of an object to a destination, having a loading bed for receiving the object, a side wall extending longitudinally around the loading bed and bounding a usable area of the loading bed, and a controller, wherein the loading bed is designed to alter the usable area, and the controller is designed to navigate the vehicle to the destination along a route that takes the alteration in the usable area into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Denis Niezgoda, Ingo F. Bickel
  • Patent number: 11067402
    Abstract: An information system comprises a selector configured to select one or more mobile shop vehicles each of which functions as a meeting place for users who utilize a shopping district composed of mobile shop vehicles, from a group of the mobile shop vehicles allowed to gather in a predetermined area in order to construct the shopping district composed of the mobile shop vehicles to provide services of different classifications in a composite manner; and a manager configured to instruct the one or more mobile shop vehicles each of which functions as the meeting place to cause a change into an appearance with which it is possible for the users to distinguish, in a differentiated manner, that each of the one or more mobile shop vehicles is the meeting place in the shopping district composed of the mobile shop vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michio Ikeda, Eiichi Ishii, Mitsugu Makita, Toru Yoshida, Gaku Itou
  • Patent number: 11021169
    Abstract: Systems and methods to determine posted speed limits for vehicles and modify a centralized database of posted speed limits may manage the centralized database, receive, from a fleet of vehicles, requests to modify speed limits associated with roads, and modify the centralized database in accordance with the received requests for modification. Individual vehicles may compare a posted speed limit for a particular road as identified based on road-side image information with a previously stored speed limit from the centralized database for the same road in order to detect a discrepancy and transmit a request for a modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Griswold, Mark Freitas, Daniel Andrew Deninger, Alekh Vaidya, Nicholas Shayne Brookins, Jason Palmer, Reza Ghanbari
  • Patent number: 11008005
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control apparatus configured to control an actuator for driving a vehicle with a self-driving capability so that the vehicle follows a forward vehicle in front of the vehicle. The vehicle travel control apparatus includes a travel state detector configured to detect a traveling state of the forward vehicle, and an electric control unit having a microprocessor and a memory. The microprocessor is configured to perform determining whether the forward vehicle is cruising based on the traveling condition detected by the travel state detector, and controlling the actuator so that the vehicle travels in a normal mode, when it is determined that the forward vehicle is not cruising, and the vehicle follows the forward vehicle in a cruise mode with a fuel economy performance or quietness higher than in the normal mode, when the forward vehicle is cruising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Mizuno, Takayuki Kishi, Akira Kito, Yoshiaki Konishi
  • Patent number: 10953870
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling the parking of a vehicle, a system having the same, and a method thereof. the apparatus for controlling parking of a vehicle includes a processor determining whether to generate a virtual object, depending on a length of a parking space and a current location of a vehicle, determining a parking target space in the parking space based on the virtual object upon generating the virtual object, generating a parking trajectory such that the vehicle is parked to the parking target space, to perform parking control based on the parking trajectory, when the parking space between a first object and a second object is scanned, and storage storing information generated by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jong Ho Park, Dong Hae Kim, Gil Won Seo
  • Patent number: 10120725
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for automatically configuring an inventory of hardware to interact seamlessly with a datacenter are provided. Initially, customer-specific specifications are collected from a user, which are automatically supplemented with platform-specific specifications. These specifications are used to select the hardware inventory from a set of predefined hardware clusters, where each of the predefined hardware clusters represents compatible configurations of hardware assets and logical assets that have been demonstrated to function congruently. A cluster-configuration file is derived from data held within a stock-keeping unit (SKU) that describes the selected hardware inventory. The cluster-configuration file is populated with abstract symbolic representations that act as placeholders for expected values that are presently unknown. Network resources are assigned by automated conversion of the abstract symbolic representations into concrete values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Marwan E Jubran, Aleksandr Gershaft, Weiping Hu, Vitalii Tsybulnyk
  • Patent number: 10108946
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for payment processing using dynamic barcodes is provided. In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a request to stage an order, including information identifying a merchant. The method further includes determining current order information for the merchant. The method also includes producing a token identifier for the order. The token identifier includes an item code and a ticket identifier. The item code identifies or references an economic understanding for the order. Additionally, the method includes staging the order within a system to allow for completion of the order later in time. The order completes through notification of payment to a POS terminal by a consumer and fulfillment of the order by the merchant. The method further includes sending the token identifier to the merchant. The token identifier is to be provided to the consumer for use by the consumer in paying for the order at the POS terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: HANDLE FINANCIAL, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Scott Perkins, Kurt Torben Thams, Daniel J. Shader
  • Patent number: 10102381
    Abstract: A testing device, system, and method for removing customer personal information (CPI). The testing device includes a user interface for communicating information and receiving user input. The testing device also includes interfaces operable to communicate with the one or more electronic devices. The testing device also includes a memory configured to store a libraries providing information for removing CPI from electronic devices including a number of makes, models, and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FedEx Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Gventer, Ken Nguyen, Kevin Asbury, Joel McCarty, Mike Lowry
  • Patent number: 10068273
    Abstract: One variation of a method for personalizing food orders includes: from a patron, receiving a taste feedback for a first food item in a first food order submitted previously by the patron; predicting an absolute food preference of the patron from the first food order; predicting a relative taste preference of the patron based on the taste feedback and a recipe of the first food item; generating a taste profile of the patron based on the absolute food preference and the relative taste preference; from the patron, receiving a selection for a second food item in a new food order, the second food item different than the first food item; applying the taste profile of the patron to a recipe for the second food item to generate a personalized recipe; and submitting the personalized recipe with the new food order to a robotic food assembly apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Creator, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Frehn, John Lawrence McDonald, Alexandros Vardakostas, Harry Shapiro Hawk
  • Patent number: 10044938
    Abstract: Systems and methods of processing images of expense receipts are provided. Images of expense receipts are received from an image capture device and an image filter is used to process the images. The filtered images are displayed to the user in a real-time preview portion of a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ABUKAI, INC.
    Inventors: Philipp Schloter, Matthias Jacob
  • Patent number: 9990612
    Abstract: Machine, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic inventory tracking and management of products through messaging over a payment network, are provided. An example includes an inventory management computer in communication with a merchant POS apparatus or terminal over an existing financial services payment network and configured to receive and process purchase transaction data associated with a product being purchased, for use by a product provider. The computer can include electronic inventory management program product configured to perform various operations including receiving a purchase transaction message sent through the payment network, storing purchase transaction data, and notifying a product provider of the purchase transaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: METABANK
    Inventors: Jason Brooks, Mike Wells
  • Patent number: 9978046
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for displaying a plurality of bill due dates, the method comprising: displaying an account identifier for each bill in the plurality of bills; showing a timeline with a due date indicator for each bill in the plurality of bills, the timeline disposed proximate to the account identifier; and wherein each of the account identifiers and timelines are disposed along an axis relative to the other account identifiers and timelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Connexive, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Claude Lefebvre, Lucas Wiman
  • Patent number: 9953288
    Abstract: Systems and methods of constructing and managing virtual planograms are presented. Contemplated systems allow for construction of a virtual planogram, which can be used to present consumers virtual inventory items as being available for purchase via a display device. The display device can include an electronic billboard within an establishment, a mall for example, or include a user's smart device, a cell phone or tablet for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nant Holdings IP, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Soon-Shiong
  • Patent number: 9928479
    Abstract: Embodiments include asset tracking and management. In one embodiment, an end-user device obtains a user identifier, a tracking unit identifier, and an asset identifier. The end-user device sends these items to a server. Upon receipt, the server verifies that the tracking unit identifier is valid, available, and assigned to the user. When verified, the server associates the tracking unit identifier with the asset identifier and the user identifier, and marks the tracking unit identifier applied. In another embodiment, a group code is generated. The group code specifies a unit identifier a multiplier. Upon confirmation that the group code was properly generated and applied to a container, unit identifiers are generated for the group. In another embodiment, a custody record is updated to indicate that a received user identifier now has custody of a tracking identifier, while preserving a previous chain of custody of the tracking identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: HURU Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian A. Nazzari
  • Patent number: 9916561
    Abstract: The location of a container and the location of a storage device that stores a particular item are determined. A determination is made that the particular item is placed in the container. The locations of the particular item and the container are tracked as the container moves through a premises. For a purchase-related transaction, a determination is made whether the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container. If the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container, a cost for the particular item is included in the purchase-related transaction. If not, the cost for the particular item is not included in the purchase-related transaction, and the location of the particular item is accounted for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nikhil S. Marathe, Christopher Baldwin, Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Patrick Kenny, Susan Kenny, Michael Towster
  • Patent number: 9911102
    Abstract: Software application systems and associated methods for recycling, purchasing, and/or performing other processes with mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and/or other electronic devices at a kiosk are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods associated with an electronic device to facilitate a consumer-operated kiosk processing (e.g., purchasing) the electronic device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes using a mobile app to identify an electronic device, evaluate the electronic device, resolve device issues to enable purchase of the electronic device, etc. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ecoATM, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Bowles, Randal Erman, Jarrod Hammes, Jeffrey Ploetner, John Silva, Rick Segil
  • Patent number: 9874645
    Abstract: Provided is a POS system including: a storage part for storing a product code for identifying a product and a radiation dose or a radioactivity threshold defined for each product code, the product code and the radiation dose or the radioactivity threshold being associated with each other; a scanner part including a product reading part for reading a product code attached to a product, and a radioactivity measurement part for measuring a radiation dose emitted from the product or radioactivity defined based on the radiation dose; a comparison part for comparing a radiation does or a radioactivity threshold corresponding to the product code read by the product code reading part and a value measured by the radioactivity measurement part with each other; and an alert output part for outputting an alert when the measured value exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9842333
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: WAL-MART STORES, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart Argue, Anthony Emile Marcar
  • Patent number: 9824400
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for enterprise accounting software applications. The computer implemented method commences upon receiving a single user-specified indication of a subject cost item. Then, responsive to the single user-specified indication, the method traverses from the subject cost item to at least one of a successor cost item or a predecessor cost item. Then, still responsive to the single user-specified indication of a subject cost item, the method proceeds to automatically retrieve information from the successor cost item or from the predecessor cost item. Then, still responsive to the single user-specified indication, the method invokes operations for displaying a representation of the subject cost item in a juxtaposition to the automatically traversed-to items. A user can configure traversing from a purchase requisition to a purchase order, and/or traversing from a purchase order to a payable invoice, and/or traversing from a payable invoice to a project expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Biju Subramunian Kattuparambil, Yue Wang
  • Patent number: 9811824
    Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for version independent Point of Sale Activation (POSA) product download. The method comprises accessing a database, wherein the database comprises a plurality of entries associated with a plurality of Point of Sale Activation (POSA) cards available for purchase at a retail store; retrieving, from the database, a plurality of entries associated with a previous version of a software product, wherein the previous version of the software product has not been redeemed; generating a serial number for each retrieved entry, wherein each serial number is associated with a current version of the software product; and updating, in the database, each retrieved entry with the generated serial number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Biswas, Mayank Goyal