Patents Examined by Karl D. Frech
  • Patent number: 9626721
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for wireless beacon connections for providing digital letters of credit on detection of a user at a location. A payment provider may authorize use of one or more wireless beacons at a merchant location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventor: John Hastings Granbery
  • Patent number: 9628150
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for detecting and using a cable length value recorded on a cable. In embodiments, the length information may be encoded onto an NFC tag that is located at or near the end of the cable such that, when the cable is inserted into a port, an NFC reader may read the cable length value. In embodiments, the detected cable length value may be used in determining a buffer-to-buffer credit for a channel connection formed between two devices using that cable. Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for making the cables or information handling devices that can detect the recorded values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS LP
    Inventors: Vinay Sawal, Vivek Dharmadhikari, Sachinrao Panemangalore, Hariharan Krishnaswamy, Marimuthu Sakthivel, Newton Oku
  • Patent number: 9600694
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for sapphire crystal material is disclosed, including a laser-etched bar code formed into the interior of the sapphire crystal material. The laser-etched bar code may be associated with one or more manufacturing parameters or other manufacturing data. The sapphire crystal may be used to create a cover sheet for use with a display screen of a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Dale N. Memering, Michael M. Li
  • Patent number: 9600900
    Abstract: Systems to measure muzzle exit conditions of for ammunition improve fire control solutions and reduce shot-to-shot dispersion in both conventional and air-burst programmable ammunition. A first system measures muzzle velocity and, when firing “post-shot” programmable ammunition, the system calculates a unique time-of-flight optimized for the actual muzzle velocity and transmits the time to detonate signal by using either optically or radio-frequency signals that represent an optimized time of burst to a projectile. A second system measures muzzle velocity coupled to a ballistic calculator and, when used with ammunition having ferrous characteristics, the force is applied to exiting ammunition to slow or increase the muzzle velocity to a consistent, standardized target velocity. The systems are separately or in combination incorporated into kits that readily improve the performance of weapon systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NOSTROMO HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9594997
    Abstract: The present invention relates in one aspect to an auxiliary charge pump for a RFID rectifier, the charge pump, which comprises a first charge pump stage (11; 111) connected to an input (14; 114), a second charge pump stage (12; 112) connected to the input, a diode clamp (13; 113) connected to an output (15; 115), and a regulating transistor (16; 116) having a gate connected with an output (21; 121) of the first charge pump stage and having a source and a drain, wherein one of the source and the drain is coupled to the diode clamp. In further aspects the invention relates to a RFID transponder, to a multistage rectifier and to a rectifier stage comprising such an auxiliary charge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventor: Kevin Buescher
  • Patent number: 9594937
    Abstract: Each data point within a two-dimensional code can be represented by a distribution of spots. Each spot can be made small enough to be invisible to the human eye so that the two-dimensional code can be invisible on or within transparent or nontransparent materials. The spots can be spaced at a large distance to increase the signal-to-noise ratio for an optical code reader. A code reader can be adapted to read the spots and determine the data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Johansen, Kyung Young Kim, Bruce W. Ball, Justin D. Redd
  • Patent number: 9595029
    Abstract: A checkout system includes a checkout station having a housing, a customer interface and a customer unloading station. A point-of-sale system has a microprocessor and memory operatively associated with one another to identify products being purchased, payments tendered therefor and to store transaction information locally at the checkout station or remotely from the checkout station. The microprocessor has programming configured to allow an item to be scanned by a product identification scanner, and an attendant command module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ECR Software Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Terry Catoe, Mark Noble, John L. White, Burt Aycock, Claire McRoberts
  • Patent number: 9567682
    Abstract: A counterfeiting deterrent device according to one implementation of the disclosure includes a plurality of layers formed by an additive process. Each of the layers may have a thickness of less than 100 microns. At least one of the layers has a series of indentations formed in an outer edge of the layer such that the indentations can be observed to verify that the device originated from a predetermined source. According to another implementation, a counterfeiting deterrent device includes at least one raised layer having outer edges in the shape of a logo. A light source is configured and arranged to shine a light through a slit in a substrate layer of the device and past an intermediate layer to light up the outer edge of the raised layer. The layers of the device are formed by an additive process and have a thickness of less than 100 microns each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Michael S. Lockard, Ming-Ting Wu, Eric C. Miller, Adam L. Cohen
  • Patent number: 9569758
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an automated banking machine that includes an instrument acceptor operable to receive financial instruments. The machine is operable to cause user data obtained from a user during a user session with the machine to be sent to a transaction authorizing host computer. The machine is operable to generate an electronic deposit slip that includes a data representative of a financial account associated with the user data, and a value of value of a financial instrument received by the instrument acceptor during the user session. The electronic deposit slip to be sent to a server that is remotely located from the automated banking machine and data representative of the value of the financial instrument is sent to the authorizing host terminal to cause the financial account to be credited an amount corresponding to the value of the financial instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith Carpenter, Martin J. Brown, Jonathan Soudry, James Meek, Todd Galloway, Robert W. Barnett, Mike P. Ryan, David A. Peters, Rafael Feijo
  • Patent number: 9569800
    Abstract: A process and apparatus provide a paperless electronic receipt. A storage device stores a communication identifier prior to a transaction at a point of transaction. Further, a transmitter sends the communication identifier to a point of transaction receipt transmission device at a point of transaction so that the point of transaction receipt transmission device sends an electronic receipt of a transaction at the point of transaction to the communication identifier based upon a selection being received at the point of transaction receipt transmission device to send the electronic receipt to the communication identifier. In addition, the electronic receipt is received and stored at the storage device based upon a selection being received at the point of transaction receipt transmission device to store the electronic receipt at the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Samuel K. Simpson
  • Patent number: 9552542
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a substrate, a first patterned layer deposited on the substrate in a first region, and a second patterned layer deposited on the substrate in a second region. The first patterned layer encodes first information in first symbols that are detectable by an optical sensor. The second patterned layer encodes second information in second symbols that are detectable by a non-optical sensor. The second information is distinct from the first information and the second region at least partially overlaps the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dylan J. Boday, Bradford O. Brooks, Srinivas Babu Tummalapenta, Jason T. Wertz, Hamza Yaswi
  • Patent number: 9551766
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a fill image of a bank note being processed. At least one magnetoresistive detector is employed to obtain line-scan sensings of a bank note as the note passes. A central processing unit obtains the sensing as magnetic pattern data which is subsequently stored in a database for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba International Corporation
    Inventor: Sohail Kayani
  • Patent number: 9552575
    Abstract: A card actuated automated banking machine (152, 198, 200) includes a plurality of transaction function devices. The transaction function devices include a card reader (170), a printer (174), a bill dispenser (176), a display (182), a check imaging device (186), and at least one processor (190). The machine is operative, responsive to receiving a check and certification data, to dispense cash in exchange for the check. The person presenting the check to the machine need not provide user identifying inputs through input devices of the machine in order to receive cash for the check. Furthermore, prior to accepting the check as a payment, the person can communicate with at least one computer (204) through at least one consumer interface device (208) to verify that the check is payable for the check amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark D. Smith, David E. Kolinski-Schultz, Dale H. Blackson, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 9547814
    Abstract: A metal transaction card is provided having a metal core layer with metal cladding layers connected thereto on opposing sides thereof. The metal core layer may have a density and/or thickness that is significantly greater than the density and/or thickness of the metal cladding layers. The density of the metal core layer may be at least 2.5 times greater than the density of the metal cladding layers. The density of the metal core layer may be at least 7.5. The outward facing lateral surface of one or both of the metal cladding layers may be anodized, or anodized and colorized. The anodized lateral surface(s) may be coated to increase the performance of a one or more hot-stamped elements attached to the coated surface(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CPI Card Group—Colorado, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Mosteller
  • Patent number: 9547854
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating electronic transactions on a user device are described. User-friendly graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are provided with minimal text and more pictures and images. The GUIs detect or receive various gesture inputs, such as swiping, tapping, and dragging and dropping, and display a corresponding screen or page. The gesture inputs allow a user to select or specify payers/payees, transaction amounts, and funding sources, without having to type numbers or letters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventor: Michelle Serrano
  • Patent number: 9547924
    Abstract: Software is provided for functioning in conjunction with a plurality of mission stores and for assisting a pilot of a vehicle with release of the mission stores to achieve a specified number of mission objectives. Each of the plurality of mission stores may be designated for communication with a separate mission reference point or target. The targets may be grouped within a common target area. The software provides processor-executable instructions for determining acceptable timing and location for release of the plurality of mission stores, such as within the common target area, and such that the mission stores achieve communication with the respective mission reference points. The processor-executable instructions calculate and identify a common release area within the common target area, such as a composite launch acceptability region of overlap of separate target regions of each mission store, in addition to identifying an entrance and exit point of the composite region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Katherine Featherston, Vincent A Maglio
  • Patent number: 9537468
    Abstract: Technologies for RFID positioning and tracking apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. The apparatus and methods disclose a radio-frequency identification positioning system that includes a radio-frequency identification reader and a phased-array antenna coupled to the radio-frequency identification reader. Techniques are applied to reduce in-reader and in-antenna signal leakages. Techniques are applied to position and track RFID tags. Circuits with leakage cancellation abilities are also disclosed. Reflective vector attenuators with tunable impedance load are also disclosed. Polarization adjustable antennas with matching circuits used in the RFID positioning system are also disclosed. Circuits to re-transmit a received signal at a higher amplitude to enhance radio link range are also disclosed. Techniques are applied to increase the level of scattered radio signals from RFID tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Liming Zhou
  • Patent number: 9530134
    Abstract: A two-dimensional code generated from encrypted original authentication data can be displayed on an authentication device. The code is read and decrypted by an authentication application on a mobile device. This can generate and display a new two-dimensional code. The new code can contain additional information, and the new two-dimensional code is read by the two-dimensional code reading unit of an authentication device. It is then authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Motoki, Dan Tateno
  • Patent number: 9524498
    Abstract: An electronic parking meter mechanism is provided. The electronic meter mechanism includes an inner housing, an electronic display screen and a wireless communication subsystem configured to wirelessly communicate with a parking management system. The electronic meter mechanism includes a first processor configured to control the electronic display screen, and a second processor configured to control communication of data by the wireless communication subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Duncan Parking Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Jones, Balu Subramanya, Mike Nickolaus
  • Patent number: 9519855
    Abstract: A non-contact IC label includes a magnetic sheet, a gap retention member including a dielectric material, and a communication section provided between the magnetic sheet and the gap retention member. The communication section includes an IC chip and a first antenna section and a second antenna section which are connected to the IC chip. The magnetic sheet has a first magnetic face facing the gap retention member, and the IC chip, the first antenna section and the second antenna section are provided on the first magnetic face of the magnetic sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunio Omura