Patents Examined by Tabitha Chedekel
  • Patent number: 9004347
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying stack size are disclosed wherein measured length and width dimensions of a stack of paperboard sheets are compared with length and width values of a label associated with the stack. The dimensions are typically measured as the stack travels along a conveyor. A no-match indicator is produced if there is not a match between the dimensions and values, and may include an alarm or a display on a video screen. The stack may be diverted to allow application of a correct label whereby the stack will be shipped to the correct customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Greif Packaging LLC
    Inventors: David W. Casey, Gregg A. Bryan, Karl U. Wuerminghausen
  • Patent number: 8978971
    Abstract: An apparatus that operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records, includes at least one processor that is in operative connection with a card reader, a check acceptor, a cash dispenser and the display. The at least one processor causes the machine to operate to read card data from a user card, and to cause a determination to be made that the read card data corresponds to an authorized financial account. The at least one processor is operative to cause data to be read from a check and/or cash to be dispensed, and a financial transfer to or from the account corresponding to the value thereof. Unauthorized observation of manual inputs to an input device is prevented through the use of nonvisible light emitters that prevent the observation of such inputs via an electronic camera interception device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems, division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: James Block, Randall W Jenkins, Tim Crews, Michael J Harty, Paul D Magee, Richard C. Lute, Klaus Steinbach, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 8978990
    Abstract: A negotiable instrument such as a check includes a unique microprint identifier that allows for authentication while preventing unauthorized reproduction and alternation. A printing system generates the identifier after receiving a customer order for printing a plurality of negotiable instruments, to allow inclusion of information that is specific to the customer order and/or the printing process. In various embodiments, the identifier is unique to each or each subset of the plurality of negotiable instruments and facilitates authentication of each of the negotiable instruments when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Deluxe Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Davies, Robert A. Owen
  • Patent number: 8950665
    Abstract: An apparatus that operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records, includes at least one processor that is in operative connection with a card reader, a check acceptor, a cash dispenser and the display. The at least one processor causes the machine to operate to read card data from a user card, and to cause a determination to be made that the read card data corresponds to an authorized financial account. The at least one processor is operative to cause data to be read from a check and/or cash to be dispensed, and a financial transfer to or from the account corresponding to the value thereof. Unauthorized observation of manual inputs to an input device is prevented through the use of nonvisible light emitters that prevent the observation of such inputs via an electronic camera interception device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: James Block, Randall W. Jenkins, Tim Crews, Michael J. Harty, Paul D. Magee, Richard C. Lute, Klaus Steinbach, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 8939371
    Abstract: A bi-optical, dual window, point-of-transaction workstation images indicia associated with multi-sided products by splitting the field of view of each imager into a plurality of subfields that simultaneously extend through each window over regions of the product. A plurality of energizable illuminators, one for each subfield, illuminates each subfield with illumination light over an adjustable illumination time. The illumination light returned from the indicia in each subfield is captured along respective optical paths from each window to each imager. A plurality of exposure sensors, one for each subfield, and located externally of each imager, senses the returned illumination light in each subfield. A controller energizes each illuminator to illuminate each subfield, deenergizes each illuminator when the returned illumination light sensed by the respective exposure sensors exceeds a threshold, and processes the captured illumination light in at least one of the subfields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Barkan
  • Patent number: 8925822
    Abstract: Method for inserting a barcode image in a document including receiving a request to encode one or more properties about the document as a barcode image in the document, the request being received through a document editor, generating the barcode image based on the properties, wrapping the barcode image inside a container object, and inserting the container object into the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Scott, Jonathan Tien
  • Patent number: 8925826
    Abstract: Magnetic stripe-based transaction enabled mobile communication device embodiments are presented which generally involve a mobile communication device which has been configured to perform transactions that heretofore were completed using a magnetic stripe found on magnetic-stripe cards. In one general embodiment, a mobile communication device generates magnetic stripe data which is used to perform a magnetic stripe-based transaction. To this end, the mobile communication device includes a magnetic stripe device and a computing device. The computing device stores the magnetic stripe data, and the magnetic stripe device is employed to transfer the stored magnetic stripe information so that it can be used to conduct transactions as if a traditional magnetic stripe card were being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jie Liu, Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha, Aman Kansal, Suman Nath, Dimitrios Lymberopoulos, Michel Goraczko
  • Patent number: 8915422
    Abstract: An apparatus that operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records, includes a processor that is in operative connection with a card reader and a touch screen display. The processor can cause the card reader to read card data from a user card, and can determine whether the read card data corresponds to an authorized financial account. Without the touch screen display surface visibly providing indicia that corresponds to a desired character, the user can still input the character through user contact with the touch screen display surface. The processor can resolve the desired character from the user contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael J. Harty, Randall Jenkins, Tim Crews, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 8915432
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus concerned about global environment, which enables its user to be convinced of his/her commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions accompanying power consumption by letting the user purchase a consumable goods/replacement part to lead the user to join greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The electronic apparatus is configured as a printer, etc. that operates with attached a refill cartridge (consumable goods), which is replaceable in the apparatus body and affixed with information by which a greenhouse gas emission right accordance is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Casio Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kataoka, Kenji Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8910872
    Abstract: An imaging reader for, and a method of, imaging targets, include a solid-state imager supported by a housing for capturing return light from a target over a field of view. An illumination light assembly performs both illumination and aiming functions. Illumination light is projected along an optical path through a passage in the housing to illuminate the target. The housing has boundary walls spaced along the optical path away from the imager and the illumination light assembly for clipping the illumination light projected through the passage to form on the target an aiming light distribution that visually indicates a periphery of the field of view to assist in positioning the target entirely within the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Barkan, Mark Drzymala
  • Patent number: 8905312
    Abstract: A communication system includes at least one contactless card configured to transmit an encoded identifier; and a reader configured to receive the encoded identifier and compare the received encoded identifier with an encoded reference card identifier, wherein the reader requests data from the contactless card if the encoded identifier matches the encoded reference card identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Walter Kargl
  • Patent number: 8905309
    Abstract: A communication system including a reader application device having a reader application, and a reader configured to operate under control of the reader application to allow data to be transmitted between the reader application device and a user device via the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Leutgeb, Josef Haid
  • Patent number: 8899474
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems for providing an interactive document reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ackley, Amber Samdahl, Amy K. Van Gilder, Lanny S. Smoot, Shelley Short
  • Patent number: 8881975
    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: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Capital One Financial Corporation
    Inventor: Michele Matthews
  • Patent number: 8875988
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a printing-data-receiving unit configured to receive a printing-data-item including a user identification information item and a password, and to save the printing-data-item in a storage device; a user-authentication unit configured to receive input information specifying a user identification information item of a user, and to authenticate the user based on a managing unit that manages association information associating user identification information items with passwords; a list-display unit configured to cause a display device to display a list of printing-data-items each including the same user identification information item as that of the user; and a printing-control unit configured to execute a printing job of a printing-data-item selected from the list, wherein in the event that there is a printing-data-item that cannot be printed, the printing-control unit does not cancel a printing job of another printing-data-item that can be printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayori Nishida
  • Patent number: 8876011
    Abstract: One variation of a method for controlling a payment card (including a magnetic stripe emulator, a processor, and an input region) includes: establishing a wireless connection with a mobile computing device; receiving, over the wireless connection, a first magnetic sequence command corresponding to a first payment method and a second magnetic sequence command corresponding to a second payment method; initiating a payment mode comprising a disable trigger; in response to selection of the first payment method through the input region, arming the processor to drive the magnetic stripe emulator according to the first magnetic sequence command in the payment mode; in the payment mode, dismissing selection of the second payment method through the input region; and in response to instance of the disable trigger, disabling operation of the magnetic stripe emulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Protean Payment, Inc.
    Inventors: Thiago Olson, Chris Bartenstein
  • Patent number: 8870081
    Abstract: One variation of a method for controlling a payment card comprising a magnetic stripe emulator and a set of input regions includes: receiving a tap input on a surface of the payment card; in response to receiving the tap input, attempting wireless communication with a mobile computing device; suppressing a payment function of the magnetic stripe emulator in response to failed wireless communication with the mobile computing device; receiving a series of inputs through the set of input regions; authenticating the series of inputs as a passcode; and, in response to authenticating the series of inputs as the passcode, enabling the payment function of the magnetic stripe emulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Protean Payment, Inc.
    Inventors: Thiago Olson, Chris Bartenstein
  • Patent number: 8870060
    Abstract: A barcode reading apparatus and method in which the spectrum of a probe light is first Fourier-transformed into space, directed upon a barcode, and then Fourier-transformed converting the spectrally encoded barcode pattern to a time domain waveform. In one implementation, the Fourier transformation from the spectrum domain into a spatial domain is performed by a dispersive element, while the Fourier transformation from the spectrally encoded barcode pattern to a time domain waveform is performed by group-velocity dispersion (GVD). The temporally encoded barcode pattern is detected by a photodetector, digitized by a digitizer, and analyzed by a digital signal processor. The invention is applicable to a number of fields which involve the reading of one- and two-dimensional barcodes, displacement sensing, surface measurements, measurement of width and gap, flow cytometry, reading of optical media, presense or absence detection, and other related fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bahram Jalali, Keisuke Goda, Kevin Kin-Man Tsia
  • Patent number: 8833646
    Abstract: A card actuated automated banking machine (10) is operative to early out financial transactions responsive to data included on user cards. The banking machine includes a user interface (15) including a display (24). The user interface includes a card reader (16) which is operative to read data on user cards which identify at least one of user and a user's financial accounts. A fascia of the machine includes a keypad (404, 438, 458) through which users input confidential data. Covers (400, 422, 430) prevent unauthorized persons from viewing confidential inputs to the keypad. Authorization signals assure that the display is operating in a manner that provides appropriate user instructions. A visual indicator is operative to indicate to a user that keypad inputs are being encrypted. Alternatively a touch screen display module (608) is operative to securely receive manual inputs and/or card data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim Crews, Natarajan Ramachandran, Joseph Hartman, Raymond P. Motz, Anne E. Bayonnet, Klaus Steinbach
  • Patent number: 8827162
    Abstract: A travel kiosk with improved passport reading. The travel kiosk includes a shelf for correctly positioning a passport for reading machine readable code in the passport. A single imager reads the machine readable code in the passport and other machine readable codes in other travel documents, such as driver licenses and travel documents displayed by smart phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Frank W. Shearer