Patents Examined by Tabitha Chedekel
  • Patent number: 8020774
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a tag label producing apparatus comprises a feeding device that feeds a tag medium including an RFID circuit element having an IC circuit part configured to store information and a tag antenna configured to transmit/receive information, a communication device that transmits and receives information via a wireless communication to and from the RFID circuit element provided in the tag medium; and a communication facilitation processing portion that executes predetermined facilitation processing related to a communication during the wireless communication based on the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ohashi, Koshiro Yamaguchi, Satoru Moriyama, Takuya Nagai, Yoshinori Maeda
  • Patent number: 8016203
    Abstract: A smartcard (1) includes: a first and a second microprocessor (110, 210), elements for receiving (14) commands each coming from a first or a second communications channel external to the card (1) and for transmitting the received commands to the first microprocessor, characterized in that the first microprocessor includes elements for determining (706) whether a received command has been received on the second communications channel so as to transmit (708) the received command to the second microprocessor (210) in the case of a positive determination. Notably, the determination can be carried out by detecting an electrical contact of the communications interface of the card, over which the command is received. Application of the invention to a card having a second microprocessor for executing a highly securitized application, of the banking transaction type, and a first less securitized application, of the mobile telephony application type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Oberthur Technologies
    Inventors: Olivier Chamley, Lorenzo Stranges
  • Patent number: 8016200
    Abstract: A scanning assembly is disclosed. The scanning assembly comprises a mobile electronic device comprising an optical sensor, the mobile electronic device adapted to perform a scanning operation, and a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly comprises a handle member adapted to be releasably coupled to the mobile electronic device, the handle member comprising a light source, and a switch assembly adapted to receive input from an operator of the trigger assembly, wherein the light source is adapted to emit a light signal in response to manipulation of the switch assembly, and wherein the mobile electronic device is adapted to perform the scanning operation in response to receiving the light signal with the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Gong, Chad Chaumont
  • Patent number: 8006906
    Abstract: A module and an arrangement for, as well as a method of, generating a generally uniform distributed line pattern of light on a symbol to be read by image capture, include a light source for generating light along an optical axis in a distribution having different extents along intersecting directions generally perpendicular to the axis, and an optical component for receiving, and for optically modifying, the light from the light source to generate the generally uniform distributed line pattern of light on the symbol. The optical component includes a plurality of compound conic elements spaced apart from one another along one of the directions. Each compound conic element has a pair of conic segments for modifying the light along the one direction. A collimating lens modifies the light along the other of the directions. A solid-state imager has an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the symbol over a field of view having different extents along the intersecting directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rong Liu, Vladimir Gurevich
  • Patent number: 7992783
    Abstract: In a mobile terminal, a control section monitors a battery residual amount at a power supply section, if the battery residual amount is less than a preset threshold, it refers to the states of various flags stored in a flag table at a memory section. Subsequently, if the control section judges it is before exit after entry for a service for the object of a lock temporary release and an entry and exit usage service, it changes a noncontact IC card function section to a lock temporary release state. This allows the noncontact IC card function to be in a lock temporary release state, just before the power supply is turned off, even if the battery residual amount is low. Therefore, when the commuter gets off a train and passes through a station ticket gate, the commuter may use the noncontact IC card function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 7967214
    Abstract: An electronic card comprises a thin, flexible substrate having electrical circuitry embedded therein. An activation device is disposed in the substrate and is configured to complete a circuit in response to a stimulus, such as light or sound. An output device is disposed in the substrate and is configured to produce an output, such as music or vibration, wherein the output device is activated upon the completion of the circuit by the activation device. A cavity is formed in an outer surface of the substrate and has electrical contacts at an inner portion thereof in electrical communication with the electrical circuitry. The cavity further comprises retaining means for replaceably retaining a battery in the cavity to enable the battery to provide power to the electrical circuitry, the activation device, and the output device. The retaining means allows a battery to be removed from the cavity and replaced with another battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Solicore, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Landau, David Corey
  • Patent number: 7959065
    Abstract: There is provided a customized gift card and methods for customizing the gift card with buyer-selected downloadable content. A buyer may associate pre-purchased downloadable content with a gift card such that the card is “preloaded” for a recipient. The recipient may then redeem the customized gift card and download or access the pre-purchased content. The customized gift card may also include a buyer-selected image and/or personalized message on the face of the card. Alternatively, the customized gift card may have a generic design. Various methods are provided for producing the cards and selecting the downloadable content, including purchasing the card online and having it delivered; buying a generic card and associating content with it online; and purchasing and preloading the card at a dispenser, or kiosk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rosenblatt, Gloria Lin, Taido Lantz Nakajima, Sean Anthony Mayo, Andrew Hodge
  • Patent number: 7954707
    Abstract: A display unit displays information in a fitting room. An operation input unit receives operation input of information in the fitting room. An RFID reader writer performs radio communication with an RFID tag, which is attached to a commodity and stores data of a commodity ID for identifying the commodity, and sets a radio communication range in the inside of the fitting room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Shimizu, Masanori Sanbe, Kenya Hiramatsu, Takahide Kubota, Akio Hiruma
  • Patent number: 7950587
    Abstract: Data-storage devices and methods are disclosed. An exemplary data-storage device includes a medium having at least two dimensions and having a surface. Multiple data-containing loci are arranged on the surface. Each locus has a respective amount of magnetically responsive particles. The respective amounts are different in at least some of the loci. The respective amount at a particular locus corresponds, at least in part, to a respective unit of data contained by the locus. The loci can be substantially two-dimensional or three-dimensional, the latter being configured as respective holes, containing respective amounts of magnetically responsive particles, extending depth-wise into the medium. The loci typically range in size from the micrometer range to the nanometer range. The medium can be any of various configurations such as cards, sheets, films, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education on behalf of the University of Reno, Nevada
    Inventors: James M. Henson, Stephan R. Fuelling
  • Patent number: 7942327
    Abstract: The magnetic data processing apparatus includes a magnetic head and a motor arranged to reduce noise due to leakage flux from the motor. The magnetic data processing apparatus may form a check processing apparatus 1 having an MICR head 2 and a transportation motor 11, which is preferably a stepping motor. The MICR head 2 and the transportation motor 11 are positioned relative to one another so that the rotational axis 42 of the transportation motor 11 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the head gap 23 in the MICR head 2. In the head gap 23 of the MICR head 2 the direction of the leakage flux 44 from the transportation motor 11 is parallel to the long axis of the left and right head gap faces 23a and 23b defining the head gap 23. Because the detection sensitivity of the MICR head 2 is lowest in this direction, noise due to leakage flux 44 from the transportation motor 11 is suppressed and the MICR head 2 can read magnetic ink characters with good accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Endo
  • Patent number: 7922082
    Abstract: As described herein, a card services provider dynamically generates a card verification value (CVV) for a transaction card and sends the dynamically-generated CVV to a cardholder. The card services provider generates the dynamically-generated CVV such that the dynamically-generated CVV is substantially unpredictable based on other dynamically-generated CVVs for the transaction card. The dynamically-generated CVV is only valid for a limited period of time and/or for a limited number of economic transactions. The cardholder uses the dynamically-generated CVV as part of an economic transaction with a merchant. Because the dynamically-generated CVV is only valid for a limited number of economic transactions and/or for a limited period of time, it may be difficult for a thief to repeatedly use the transaction card to make economic transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: M2 International Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael A. Muscato
  • Patent number: 7905411
    Abstract: All light-emitting devices 71 to 73 are caused to emit lights, and the colored lights by light-emitting devices 71 to 73 are radiated to two-dimensional barcode 10 to read barcode information only of a black pattern by CMOS imager 20. Information corresponding to this barcode information is displayed on display section 90. When a user selects information by using input section 100 from among all the information, a light-emitting device corresponding to the selection is caused to emit a light, and a reading operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventor: Yukiyasu Ibe
  • Patent number: 7900840
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for improved imaging scanning. An imaging bar code scanner provides indicia to a user indicating areas for placement of a bar code so as to provide for efficient imaging scanning. The indicia may define the boundaries of the field of view of an imager, and may also indicate areas of an image that are more intensively processed. The indicia may be projected so as to illuminate an object with a projected pattern, or may alternatively be projected onto or otherwise placed on one or more scan windows of a scanner. At least some of the indicia may change appearance depending on whether an object to be scanned is within a prescribed distance from an imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Nathaniel C. Herwig
  • Patent number: 7891553
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cash transaction machine. The cash transaction machine includes a main body including a medium inlet formed on a side of a lower portion thereof and a medium outlet formed on a side of an upper portion thereof, and providing a paper medium fed from the medium inlet to the medium outlet, a transfer module including a driving device mounted on the main body, and a plurality of circulation transfer belts cooperating with the driving device and transferring the paper medium, the plurality of circulation transfer belts being extended to the lower portion of the main body via the medium inlet, and an auxiliary adapter including an adapter box directly or indirectly mounted on the lower portion of the main body, and a belt guidance shaft mounted on the adapter box and positioning an extra part of the circulation transfer belt in the auxiliary adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nautilus Hyosung Inc.
    Inventors: Je Seok Kong, Won Joon Lee, Jin Hwan Cha, Young Il Choi
  • Patent number: 7886975
    Abstract: Processing efficiency of acquired data is improved by restricting saving or acquiring of unnecessary data. A data acquisition device 110 includes a communication unit 214 for performing wireless communication of data with a data accumulation device 100 in which data is accumulated, a type registration unit 216 wherein data types of necessary data are registered beforehand, a type comparison unit 218 for comparing the data type of data received via the wireless communication unit with data types registered in the type registration unit, a data extracting unit 220 for extracting only data of which the data type matches, and a data holding unit 222 for holding the extracted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Matsuo, Daisuke Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7857212
    Abstract: A method and system for authorizing card account transactions by geographic region by providing data for a user interface displaying geographic regions and merchant locations each corresponding to the location of a merchant where a transaction using a card account may be initiated, receiving a user interface selection representing a request to authorize or restrict card account transactions, receiving authorization requests for desired transactions, and authorizing or restricting the transactions in accordance with the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Capital One Financial Corporation
    Inventor: Michele Matthews
  • Patent number: 7857207
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing a financial transaction. The systems and methods provide techniques for providing an automated teller machine (ATM) and allowing a customer to operate the ATM at the ATM to complete the transaction. In addition, the customer, while at the ATM, can communicate with a representative at a centralized hub that is remote from the ATM and the representative can take control of the ATM to complete the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: John Chandler Hopkins, III
  • Patent number: 7815120
    Abstract: A method and imaging apparatus is provided for scanning and decoding a target object. The imaging apparatus (10) comprises a scanning arrangement (12) comprising a sensor assembly (22) for capturing an image from a target object. The sensor assembly (22) includes a sensor array (27) located within the sensor assembly. A programmable microprocessor (13) is located within and coupled to the scanning arrangement (12) that operates an electronic shutter (29) for controlling the exposure time of pixels (33) located in the sensor array (27). The electronic shutter (29) includes first and second modes of exposure. An image test control system (31) associated with the scanning arrangement (12) for evaluating lighting conditions surrounding the imaging apparatus (10) and selecting an optimum mode for imaging based on the evaluation between the first mode of exposure and the second mode of exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7815108
    Abstract: A transaction product includes an enclosure, an account identifier and an electrical circuit. The enclosure defines an aperture. The account identifier is at least one of connected to or enclosed within the enclosure and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable. The electrical circuit includes a flexible circuit member, wherein the flexible circuit member extends through the aperture defined by the enclosure such that a first portion of the flexible circuit member is coupled to an outside surface of the enclosure and a second portion of the flexible circuit member is positioned inside the enclosure. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Schacherer, Timothy P. Clegg, Primoz Samardzija, Ted C. Halbur
  • Patent number: 7806317
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) operates responsive to data bearing records. Users of the machine may deliver and receive records including individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine such as notes, checks or other documents. Notes assessed by the machine as being of questionable validity may be marked with a removable mark or otherwise identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventor: Edward L. Laskowski