Patents Examined by Rafferty Kelly
  • Patent number: 8978987
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an integrated circuit linked to a coil antenna forming at least a spiral having opposite ends connected to the integrated circuit, and a plate support for supporting the integrated circuit and the coil antenna. The plate support is conductive and open ring shaped, wherein the internal circumference of the ring is concentric to the spiral. The opening of the ring is obtained by a cut through the plate support. The coil antenna is fastened to and isolated from the plate support through an insulating material. The cut and the plate support are filled by the same insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventor: Michele Scarlatella
  • Patent number: 8973842
    Abstract: A method for producing a marketable package including an outer packaging for receiving a portable data carrier, and a portable data carrier. The data carrier possesses a viewing side and an underside and bears a secret code internally as well as identification information on the outer side. The identification information is applied to the underside of the data carrier in the form of a two-dimensional bar code, and the outer packaging is configured to be transparent on the underside so that the identification information can be read out through the outer packaging after the data carrier has been inserted into the outer packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Manfredo Dreyer
  • Patent number: 8973818
    Abstract: Each portable payment device associated with a single account within a payment processing system is distinguished using track data. The track data from the portable payment device is read at each of a plurality of merchant point of sale terminals (POS). Rather than relying on the PAN alone, a merchant may utilizes the track data, or a proxy thereof, as the unique identifier for the portable payment device. The merchant may then process transactions involving the portable payment device based on the unique identifier. For example, in the transit environment the transit fare for each rider with different portable payment devices but the same account can be calculated using the unique identifier, such as the full track data read from both tracks of the corresponding portable payment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Dixon, Ayman A. Hammad, Khalid El-Awady
  • Patent number: 8936192
    Abstract: An interrogating and processing system and method is described. In one embodiment, a wireless communication device interrogates an information source, having a barcode or tag, and wirelessly transmits data indicative of the information source. The interrogator can be built into or adjunct to the wireless communication device. An automated processing subsystem receives the transmitted data and identifies an item corresponding to the data. A fulfillment subsystem effects delivery of the item to a destination. In another embodiment, there is a coupon code scanning and processing system and method. A wireless computing device having an interrogator reads a coupon code. An automated processing subsystem receives the corresponding data and provides a benefit associated with the coupon. The benefit can be a discount on a product or service. Alternatively, at least a portion of the coupon including a code is displayed on a screen of the computing device for processing at a point of sale terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Gary C. Reblin
  • Patent number: 8925797
    Abstract: A currency handling device may convert a first recycling unit to a holding unit andto receive and store notes unfit for recycled circulation. The currency handling device may reallocate a second recycling unit to store a frequently recycled currency. Thereafter, deposits or withdrawals conducted with respect to the currency handling device may access or store currency in the converted or reallocated recycling units. The frequently recycled currency may be determined based on one or more trends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Christopher Bohen, Amy Baker Folk
  • Patent number: 8925810
    Abstract: An interrogating and processing system and method is described. A wireless communication device interrogates an information source, having a barcode or tag, and wirelessly transmits data indicative of the information source. The interrogator can be built into or adjunct to the wireless communication device. An automated processing subsystem receives the transmitted data and identifies an item corresponding to the data. A fulfillment subsystem effects delivery of the item to a destination. There can be a coupon code scanning and processing system and method. A wireless computing device having an interrogator reads a coupon code. An automated processing subsystem receives the corresponding data and provides a benefit associated with the coupon. The benefit can be a discount on a product or service. Alternatively, at least a portion of the coupon including a code is displayed on a screen of the computing device for processing at a point of sale terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Gary C. Reblin
  • Patent number: 8919643
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for using at least a portion of a one-time password as a dynamic card verification value (CVV) are disclosed. A credit/debit card is able to generate a dynamic card verification value (CVV). Such a card may also include an indication that the dynamic CVV is to be used as a security code for purchasing or other transactions. A card-based financial transaction can be authorized in accordance with the use of a dynamic CVV by receiving a transaction authorization request for a specific credit/debit card, wherein the transaction authorization request includes a dynamic CVV. The dynamic CVV can be compared to at least a portion of a one-time password generated for the specific credit/debit card, and a transaction authorization can be sent to the merchant or vendor when the dynamic CVV matches all or a portion of the one-time password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Ashfield
  • Patent number: 8915447
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for amplifying Radio Frequency (RF) signals. In some implementations, a system includes a first interface, a second interface, secure memory, a user-interface module, a processing module, and am amplification module. The first interface connects to a microSD slot of a mobile host device. The second interface includes an internal antenna for wirelessly communicating with retail terminals. The secure memory stores user credentials and a payment application used to execute financial transactions with the retail terminals. The processing module executes the payment application using the user credentials in response to at least a transaction request received by the RF module and transmits at least one transaction response to the retail terminal based, at least in part, on the executed payment application. The amplification module connected to a lead of the antenna and is configured to amplify at least received RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: DeviceFidelity, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Jain, Tuan Quoc Dao
  • Patent number: 8905303
    Abstract: A method for facilitating wireless payment using different authentication and connectivity methods depending on the user profile, the user location, transaction, and connectivity capabilities of the payment terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Mourad Ben Ayed
  • Patent number: 8905311
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an infrared-transmissive dome, such as for infrared imaging applications. For example, an infrared camera system includes a housing having a lens coupled to the housing and an infrared detector within the housing configured to receive infrared energy passing through the lens. An infrared-transmissive dome, coupled to the infrared camera system, includes a main body providing a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome, with the main body made of an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material. The main body may have a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches to allow infrared transmittance greater than approximately sixty five percent through the main body to the lens for infrared imaging in a wavelength range of approximately three to fourteen micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore R. Hoelter, Barbara Sharp, Warn Burt, Robert Pietsch, Marcel Tremblay, Earl R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8887987
    Abstract: Technology for use with computing devices, particularly mobile devices and wireless networks supporting federation, enabling people, devices, systems, or the like to join together in electronic federations for purposes of voting or the like. The votes in such voting situations may be weighted based on various criteria associated with the voter, the subject of the vote, and/or other criteria relevant to the voting scenario. The technology also enables users to monitor a voting scenario in real-time and tailor their own voting or decisions or the like to the scenario, even as it unfolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dawson Yee, Scott C Forbes, Shai Guday, Miller Thomas Abel
  • Patent number: 8888001
    Abstract: A transaction card processing and activation system comprising the identification of a unique identifier corresponding to an aggregate of transaction cards of affiliated or non-affiliated card issuers and the activation of each transaction card corresponding to the unique identifier of the aggregate irrespective of the number, types, or card issuers of the transaction cards Additionally, the present invention allows a point of sale entity to initiate the activation of each of the multiple, disparate transaction cards in the aggregate by merely processing the unique identifier associated with the aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Blackhawk Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Lalit Singh, Sanjay Shirsekar
  • Patent number: 8875996
    Abstract: A biometrically activated radio frequency identification (RFID) tag including a fingerprint detection matrix, an antenna control circuit, and a biometric identification chip. The fingerprint detection matrix acquires biometric data indicative of a user's identity and passes it to the biometric identification chip. The biometric identification chip compares the biometric data acquired by the fingerprint detection matrix to biometric data stored thereupon. The antenna control circuit activates the RFID tag selectively dependent upon the result of the comparison of the acquired and stored biometric data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Mestres, Pierre Secondo, Joaquin Picon
  • Patent number: 8851387
    Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting bottle includes a metal cap, a bottle body and a RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tag. The RFID tag includes a grounded surface, a monopole antenna and a RFID chip. The grounded surface is attached to the bottle body. The monopole antenna is attached to the bottle and is electrically connected to the grounded surface. The RFID chip is attached to the bottle and is electrically connected to the monopole antenna and the grounded surface respectively, wherein the RFID chip, the monopole antenna and the grounded surface form a loop structure. When the RFID tag is torn up, the loop structure is destroyed as well, such that the RFID tag cannot be read anymore, thus achieving the anti-counterfeiting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: China Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Shih-Kang Kuo, Sung-Lin Chen, Long-Gee Liao, Jhu-Yong Hsu
  • Patent number: 8844816
    Abstract: Described herein is a smart card having a first set of contact pads disposed on a first region of a first surface of the smart card and a second set of contact pads disposed on a second region of the first surface. The first and second set of contact pads are configured to simultaneously electrically engage a socket of a host device and exchange data with the host device. The smart card also includes control circuitry communicatively coupled to the first and second sets of contact pads and operable to control the exchange of data with the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William Michael Beals
  • Patent number: 8789746
    Abstract: Authentication of a product could be accomplished by utilizing encryption and decryption engines onboard two integrated circuits namely a DECENC chip and a READER chip. A unique serial number in either an encrypted or un-encrypted format is programmed into eFuses, or OTP devices on board the DECENC chip where this chip is then attached to the product. During the authentication procedure, the encrypted and decrypted serial number on board the DECENC chip is transferred to the READER chip. The READER chip subsequently performs a decryption of the serial number from the first chip if this serial number is in encrypted form or performs an encryption of the serial number from the first chip if this serial number is in un-encrypted form. The READER chip then compares its result of decryption or encryption against the corresponding decrypted or encrypted versions of the serial number received from the DECENC chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Solexir Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Mehrdad Toofan, Mehzad Toofan
  • Patent number: 8746562
    Abstract: Embodiments related to methods and systems for determining support for a memory card, where the memory card is accessible to a card reader and the card reader is in communication with an accessing device. One embodiment comprises transmitting a first test command to the memory card, receiving a response to the first test command, and determining that the response to the first test command indicates that a card type is not supported by a plurality of card drivers. In response to said determining, at least one additional test command specific to a card type supported by a selected card driver is automatically transmitted, and if the response is successful, the selected card driver, which was previously determined not to support the card type of the memory card, is indicated to support the card type of the memory card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Neil Patrick Adams, Herbert Anthony Little
  • Patent number: 8740058
    Abstract: A modular integrated software and hardware suite can accept data exported from a voter registration database corresponding to requests for mail ballots, sort the data as necessary for ballot preparation, create a road map for ballot mailing preparation, provide for mail presorting, scan returned ballot envelopes using a ballot envelope scanner, and accept data from the scanner. The scanner uses a passive feed system, a separator brush, and a variable speed straight paper path to minimize jamming through the ballot envelope scanner. The scanner can work with a workstation application to interpret a barcode, store an image of the ballot envelope signature in association with a specific voter, print an endorsement on each verified ballot envelope, and store the endorsement with the signature image. The scanner can divert ballot envelopes with unrecognizable or unmatched barcodes to a separate tray for manual processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Electron Systems & Software, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Brucker, Harminder Patria, Brian Clubb, Lester Wright, Bryan A. Pittman, Donald S. Nelson, Jr., Robert L. Leonard, Jr., Bradley W. Borne, Brett Barrett, Jerry Wagoner, Gary Lemmon, John Elder, Darrin Heffernan
  • Patent number: 8596537
    Abstract: An anesthesia system (1) is provided with an anesthesia apparatus (2), at least one anesthetic dispenser (3) and at least one parameter detection device (7) for detecting at least one parameter of the at least one anesthetic dispenser (3) at the anesthesia apparatus (2). The parameter detection device (7) is provided with an apparatus interface unit (10) with at least one camera (17) at the anesthesia apparatus (2) and with a dispenser interface unit (11) with at least one image pattern (16) at the at least one anesthetic dispenser (3). The at least one image pattern (16) can be detected by the camera (17), and the dispenser interface unit (11) is a passive dispenser interface unit (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Sönke Faber, Wolfgang Falb, Michael Heidschmidt, Sven Heyer, Götz Kullik, Frank Mecklenburg, Martin Meyer, Gerd Peter, Klaus Radomski, Hartmut Stark
  • Patent number: 8584944
    Abstract: An apparatus, a kit, and a method of use thereof for assisting snipers or long-range shooters in arriving at a firing solution for adjustment of an aiming system are provided. The apparatus can include a housing including a viewing area and a slide including a matrix of firing solutions printed thereon based on a plurality of density altitude values. The slide is movable with respect to the housing such that a portion of the matrix of firing solutions is viewable in the viewing area of the housing based on a density altitude value. This allows a user to adjust the trajectory compensation of a telescopic sight or any other aiming system by using the current measured density altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Taylor A. White, Christopher M. Sharon