Patents Examined by Steven S. Paik
  • Patent number: 8622299
    Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for determining if an optical code is presented to an optical code scanner in either a printed form or on the display of an electronic device. Certain presentation characteristics of an optical code are different depending on whether the optical code is presented in printed form or on the display of an electronic device. The changes in the presentation characteristics require changes to certain parameters of the optical code scanner for the optical code to be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: John Crooks, Timothy Edward Mason, Michael A. Kleppinger
  • Patent number: 8622296
    Abstract: A magnetic stripe card reader assembly and method includes a panel having portions defining a card entry opening of a card entry path provided for receiving a magnetic stripe card with the magnetic stripe disposed perpendicular to the card entry path. A card swipe path in communication with the card entry path is provided for swiping the card with the magnetic stripe disposed parallel to the card swipe path, and a magnetic stripe read head is disposed proximate the card swipe path for reading only a pre-determined segment of the magnetic stripe. The panel is also provided with portions defining a card withdrawal opening of a card withdrawal path in communication with the card swipe path and partly overlapping the card entry opening for withdrawal of the card with the magnetic stripe disposed perpendicular to the card withdrawal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Citigroup Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Yokomoto, Ian Kidman, Nhut Trung Ha, Joseph Butryn
  • Patent number: 8596532
    Abstract: A system having a UHF RFID transceiver is adapted to communicate exclusively with a single electro-magnetically coupled transponder located in a predetermined confined transponder operating region. The system includes a near field coupling device comprising a plurality of lines connected in parallel with an unmatched load. The near field coupling device may be formed, for example on a printed circuit board with a plurality of electrically interconnected traces and a ground plane. The system establishes, at predetermined transceiver power levels, a mutual electromagnetic coupling which is selective exclusively for a single transponder located in a defined transponder operating region. Also included are methods for selective communication with the transponder in an apparatus such as a printer-encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Karl Torchalski, Daniel F. Donato
  • Patent number: 8567672
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture for interacting with a multiple criteria buying and/or selling system to conduct business electronically. In particular, the architecture can include a dynamic discount card that includes an information access component for receiving information. In addition, the dynamic discount card can include a presentation component for displaying information to a user via the dynamic discount card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: eWinWin, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Mesaros
  • Patent number: 8561912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an RFID tag having capacitive load, including: an antenna unit, a capacitive load and an RFID device. The antenna unit includes two metal sheets and a conductive substrate, and the metal sheets are disposed at a corresponding position above the conductive substrate and electrically connected to the conductive substrate. The capacitive load is electrically connected to the metal sheets. The RFID device feeds the antenna unit by electrically connecting to the metal sheets or coupling. This dramatically decreases the operating frequency, so the imaginary part of impedance is higher with the same size of the antenna unit, thereby reducing the size of the RFID tag. As a result, the weight is reduced, the manufacture process is simplified and the subsequent structure can be easily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: China Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Lin Chen, Yi-An Wu
  • Patent number: 8556185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an RFID tag having capacitive load, including: an antenna unit, a capacitive load and an RFID device. The antenna unit includes two metal sheets and a conductive substrate, and the metal sheets are disposed at a corresponding position above the conductive substrate and electrically connected to the conductive substrate. The capacitive load is electrically connected to the metal sheets. The RFID device feeds the antenna unit by electrically connecting to the metal sheets or coupling. This dramatically decreases the operating frequency, so the imaginary part of impedance is higher with the same size of the antenna unit, thereby reducing the size of the RFID tag. As a result, the weight is reduced, the manufacture process is simplified and the subsequent structure can be easily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: China Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Lin Chen, Yi-An Wu
  • Patent number: 8550359
    Abstract: A method for receiving and presenting user-generated designs and sets of terms for portable consumer devices. The method provides for allowing a first person to create a customized design for a portable consumer device, and share the design with other consumers via a host site. Similarly, the method provides for allowing a first person to create and share a customized set of terms for the portable consumer device. Methods for receiving and distributing feedback for customized designs and sets of terms are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Michelle Winters
  • Patent number: 8550336
    Abstract: An anti-counterfeit authentication system provides authentication services over available communication networks. The system assigns unique anti-counterfeit certificates to authentic items. The certificates are stored in anti-counterfeit tags that are attached to the authentic items. An authentication server provides authentication services to authentication clients over the communication networks. The authentication clients read, via tag readers, the anti-counterfeit certificates from the tags associated with items to be authenticated, provide the anti-counterfeit certificates to the authentication server which determines authenticity and supplies authentication results back to the authentication clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Name Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Keli Liu, Yuebiao Wang, JueXin Wang, Chen Liu, Yunnan Xiao
  • Patent number: 8544734
    Abstract: A method is provided for packaging and activating open loop stored value cards. A retailer is provided an open loop card and a closed loop card in an integrated package, the open loop card associated with a first account number and configured for activation by an open loop account processor, and the closed loop card associated with a second account number. An electronically readable card component contains data corresponding to a control account including the first and second account numbers. Upon receiving an activation request from a point of sale which contains the data corresponding to the control account, the control account and the account numbers are identified, and the closed loop card is activated. An activation request is transmitted electronically to the open loop account processor, wherein activating of the closed and open loop cards may be substantially simultaneous with respect to the point of sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ceridian Stored Value Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Stafford, Rick Fletcher, Don Gayle, Mark Willis, Greg Hopper, James W. Polk, Jr., Jamie Badgett
  • Patent number: 8544757
    Abstract: A transaction product includes a cover, a sheet support member, a plurality of separate sheet members, and an account identifier. Each of the plurality of separate sheet members transition between folded and unfolded configurations. Each of the plurality of separate sheet members is coupled to the cover via the sheet support member. In the folded configuration, each separate sheet member is maintained within a footprint of the cover. In the unfolded configuration, each separate sheet member extends beyond the footprint of the cover. When one separate sheet member is in the unfolded configuration others of the plurality of separate sheet members are in the folded configuration and substantially hidden from view via the sheet support member. The account identifier is statically connected to one of the cover, the sheet support member, and the plurality of separate sheet members and links the transaction product to a financial account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirstin Stahl, Brenda Irlbeck, Sage C. Rider, Jessica D. Albrecht, Primoz Samardzija, Timothy P. Clegg
  • Patent number: 8528809
    Abstract: Card data read by a card reader and a personal identification number inputted via an input unit are transmitted to an information processing apparatus. A timer is made to start measuring a predetermined waiting time in accordance with a notification of completion of processing using the card data and the personal identification number from the information processing apparatus. A warning is given if a card loaded in the card reader is detected by a detection unit when the measurement of the waiting time by the timer is finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatoshi Nochi
  • Patent number: 8430311
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically checking out items located on a moving conveyor belt for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of a checkout process and revenue at a point-of-sale. The system includes a conveyor subsystem for moving the items, a housing that enclosed a portion of the conveyor subsystem, a lighting subsystem that illuminates an area within the housing, visual sensors that can take images of the items including UPCs, and a checkout system that receives the images from the visual sensors and automatically identifies the items. The system may include a scale subsystem located under the conveyor subsystem to measure the weights of the items, where the weight of each item is used to check if the corresponding item is identified correctly. The system relies on matching visual features from images stored in a database to match against features extracted from images taken by the visual sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Datalogic ADC, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Ostrowski, Mario Munich, John Wiseman
  • Patent number: 8408457
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, retail advertising systems and methods are provided for coordinating an advertising message with a product display. An advertising media device may be used for broadcasting recorded advertising messages about products in a retail environment. A product display may be used that is associated with a product on sale in the retail environment and that includes an associated wireless identification tag. A wireless identification system may be used that includes at least one antenna in the retail environment and that is configured to detect the wireless identification tag in the retail environment. An advertisement coordination system may be used that determines from the wireless identification system that the product display is located in the retail environment and in response causes the advertising media device to broadcast an advertising message related to the product display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Golioth Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Overhultz, Edward J. Franczek, Robert N. Michelson
  • Patent number: 8336765
    Abstract: An automatic banking machine includes a card reader for reading user cards, and a cash dispenser. The automated banking machine carries out banking transactions related to user accounts based on information read from cards. The automated banking machine provides a printed receipt for transactions conducted. The machine carries out transactions when operatively connected to a source of AC power and a transaction network. The machine also carries out certain exception instructions when disconnected from its power source and/or network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim Crews, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 8333320
    Abstract: The document includes a support (10) provided with at least one first (12) and second (14) parts that can move relative to one another, the support including an electronic microcircuit (3) and contactless coupling members (2) electrically connected to the electronic microcircuit (3), and capable of being coupled to an external reading station (5) for establishing a contactless communications with the latter (5). The support also includes detecting elements (20) capable of detecting the relative proximity of the first and second parts independent of the contactless coupling members (2), and securing elements (30) connected to the detecting elements (20) and capable of inhibiting and/or authorizing the activation of the contactless communication according to the relative proximity of the first and second parts thus detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Oberthur Technologies
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Huot, Francis Chamberot
  • Patent number: 8317087
    Abstract: An automatic banking machine includes a card reader for reading user cards, and a cash dispenser. The automated banking machine carries out banking transactions related to user accounts based on information read from cards. The automated banking machine provides a printed receipt for transactions conducted. The machine carries out transactions when operatively connected to a source of AC power and a transaction network. The machine also carries out certain exception instructions when disconnected from its power source and/or network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems
    Inventors: Tim Crews, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 8220719
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes an RFID payment terminal with a display-embedded antenna. According to one aspect, an RFID payment terminal with a display-embedded antenna includes a display for graphically displaying payment information to a user. An RFID antenna is embedded in a portion of the display used for displaying the payment information to a user and for communicating with an RFID device of the user to receive transaction information form the RFID device. An RFID payment module is coupled to the antenna for receiving the transaction information and for effecting the payment transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Vivotech, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Johnson, Jr., Hans Bielefeld Reisgies
  • Patent number: 8215556
    Abstract: A color barcode can record much more amount of information than black white barcode. However, the problem of the color barcode is that it is easy to lose integrity or authenticity in printing and copy generation. This invention provides an apparatus and a method to keep the integrity or authenticity of the color barcode. Such is accomplished by the color information portion of the color barcode representing the color information about what colors are used for color tiles of data portion of the color barcode and an apparatus and a method for producing and reproducing such color barcode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Wei Ming
  • Patent number: 8205799
    Abstract: A physical object is provided that comprises a base medium, such as a paper sheet, and a memory tag embedded in it or attached to it. The memory tag stores at least one data item and location data relating each of one or more areas on the object's surface to a corresponding data item. Preferably, the data item or items stored by the tag comprise a print data item representing an item printed on the object, and/or a meta data item representing an instruction, or data to be output, in response to user selection of the corresponding area on the object's surface. Apparatus is provided for writing the data items and location data to the memory tag; apparatus is also provided for subsequently using the location data for interpreting user selections made by indicating positions on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Francis Squibbs, Richard Anthony Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8191783
    Abstract: A method and a system for exchanging electronic information data, using a color code recognition device are provided. An electronic information data from the first computer is recognized in either in the ASCII code or in the binary digit format. The electronic information data is encoded by substituting each character of the ASCII codes or the binary digit recognized with a color value. The encoded data is transmitted to the second computer, and the transmitted data is decoded into the original electronic information data. The system for exchanging an electronic information data includes a storage device for storing the user identification database and the legend database, an encoding device for encoding the electronic information data, a decoding device for decoding the encoded data to restore the encoded data into its original format, and a network device for transmitting the data between a plurality of computers over the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Ji-Deak Cheon