Patents Examined by Tim Hale
  • Patent number: 10540651
    Abstract: A system that communicates information is described. This system includes: a network interface, a proxy device coupled to the network interface, and an interface node coupled to the proxy device and configured to couple to a channel. Note that the network interface is configured to transmit outbound messages from the system to a location and to receive inbound messages to the system from the location, and the channel is configured to convey the outbound messages and the inbound messages. Moreover, the proxy device is configured to inspect a given message inbound or outbound based on a pre-determined profile of the location and pre-defined communication rules. Then, the proxy device is configured to restrict the given message based on a result of the inspection, where the restriction occurs after the system begins a communication session with the location and is performed for the duration of the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: INTUIT INC.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Robinson, Joann Ferguson, Thomas J. Holodnik, Thomas E. Dockman, Spencer W. Fong, Michael P. Owen
  • Patent number: 10049357
    Abstract: A system and method for using a Personal Identification Number (“PIN”) to authenticate payment transactions via a mobile device coupled to a reader device is described. The reader device may be modified to not only read and encrypt first identification information from a payment medium such as a magnetic strip of a payment card, but also receive a PIN from the mobile device and encrypt the PIN. The mobile device may be configured to prompt for and receive the PIN. The PIN may be communicated to the reader device for encryption. The mobile device may receive the encrypted first identification information and encrypted PIN and communicate the encrypted data to an adaptive payment server that decrypts the encrypted data for processing the payment transaction. The system may be used to securely process PIN-based payment transactions using a mobile device that is communicably coupled to a reader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MTS Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Shashi Kapur, Ralph A. Bianco
  • Patent number: 10032164
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic commerce over a network, according to one or more embodiments, includes communicating with a user via a user device over the network, distributing a resident application to the user device over the network, displaying a service icon on the user device, and receiving an authentication request from the user via the user device over the network. The service icon is linked to the resident application, and the authentication request includes user credentials inputted by the user via user selection of the service icon and resulting user access of the resident application. The system and method includes communicating with the resident application on the user device to request user confirmation of the authentication request, receiving user confirmation from the user via the user device over the network, authorizing the authentication request, and notifying the user of the authorized authentication request over the network via the resident application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventor: Hadi Nahari
  • Patent number: 9911146
    Abstract: A system and method for securely authenticating a user for the purpose of accessing information, such as private financial or personal information, in an online environment are disclosed. In addition, a system and method for allowing consumers to make secure payments from an electronic wallet with biometric authentication are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Open Invention Network, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Siegal, Simon Rowell, Thomas Hintz
  • Patent number: 9864993
    Abstract: A payment authentication service authenticates the identity of a payer during online transactions. The authentication service of the present invention allows a card issuer to verify a cardholder's identity using a variety of authentication methods, such as the use of passwords. Also, the only system participant requiring a certificate is the issuing financial institution. One embodiment of the invention for authenticating the identity of a cardholder during an online transaction involves querying an access control server to determine if a cardholder is enrolled in the payment authentication service, requests a password from the cardholder, verifies the password, and notifies a merchant whether the cardholder's authenticity has been verified. In another aspect of the invention, a chip card and the authentication service independently generate cryptograms that must match in order for the service to verify that the correct chip card is being used by the cardholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Kevin D. Weller, Stephen W. Ryan, Peter R. Hill, Thomas J. Manessis, Tony D. Lewis, Benedicto H. Dominguez, Peter Bray, James Donald Reno, Liane Redford, Philippe Levy, Trudy Hill
  • Patent number: 9818094
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing device provides a user interface of a third-party application program. The user interface includes an interface element that causes purchase of a product. The computing device receives an indication that the user has selected the interface element. The computing device identifies a first identity certificate that is assigned to the third-party application program from among multiple identity certificates that are assigned to multiple respective third-party application programs. The computing device sends the first identity certificate to a server system so as to cause the server system to determine whether the first identity certificate matches a second identity certificate. The computing device receives an indication that the third-party application program is able to legitimately purchase the product. The computing device sends a request for purchasing the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Linda K. Nguyen, Jasper S. Lin
  • Patent number: 9805374
    Abstract: Techniques enable creation of a preview license for digital content. In some instances, the preview license indicates that it allows a content-consuming device to consume less than all of the content. This preview license may create a list specifying multiple portions of the digital content that the content-consuming device may consume. These techniques may also present to a device user an offer to purchase rights to consume all of the digital content after consumption of the preview-licensed portion(s). In other instances, a content server may embed the preview license into a content package that contains the digital content, allowing the server to distribute the package to multiple devices. In still other instances, the preview license may be bound to a domain rather than to individual devices. This allows member devices to share the digital content and the preview license, such that each member device may enjoy the preview experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Patrik Schnell, Clifford P. Strom, Adrian J Oney, Mark L. Beaubien, Kedarnath A. Dubhashi, Alexandre V. Grigorovitch, Anand Paka, Satvir Randhawa
  • Patent number: 9721237
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide an animated 2D barcode check that is used to securely and efficiently transmit financial information between mobile devices. The financial information includes a check written by a payer and transmitted to a merchant. The check includes account information of the payer and of the merchant with a payment service provider, a payment amount, and a cryptographic signature that has been certified by the payment service provider. The payer's mobile device encodes the check into a sequence of 2D barcodes and displays the sequence of 2D barcodes in a loop that is scanned by a camera on the merchant's mobile device. The merchant uses the cryptographic signature to verify the validity of the signature on the check without having Internet connectivity to the payment service provider. The merchant may later present the check to the payment service provider to receive payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Kang
  • Patent number: 9715690
    Abstract: A computer-based method includes receiving, at a computer-based authorization system, a request to authorize payment to a first party at an electronic payment device from an account with funds that have been paid by a second party. The request includes an encrypted indication of an account number that corresponds to the account and a cash card number entered by the first party at the electronic payment device. The method further includes deriving an unencrypted version of the account number from the encrypted indication; comparing the unencrypted version of the account number to one or more identification codes in an electronic database, where one of the identification codes corresponds to the account; and authorizing payment from the account at the payment device based, at least in part, on whether the comparing yields a match between the unencrypted version of the account number and the identification code that corresponds to the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: AMERICAN CASH EXCHANGE, INC.
    Inventors: Donald C. Licciardello, Rush Taggart, John D. Licciardello, Debra Lynn Licciardello
  • Patent number: 9710811
    Abstract: A central transaction server in electronic commerce card authorization system enables the electronic commerce card association to manage and monitor the authentication system. The central transaction server acts as an intermediary for all communications between the access control server used for authentication. If any portion of the authentication system fails, the central transaction server compensates by providing appropriate responses to other portions of the system. The centralized transaction server translates all incoming traffic into a format compatible with the intended recipient, enabling portions of the system to be upgraded without breaking compatibility with the non-upgraded portions. The centralized transaction server also enables the integration of formally separate portions of the authentication system into a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: VISA U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Steve Davis
  • Patent number: 9679120
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include wagering game systems that communicate with servers or other entities in a wagering game network using multicast groups. Data transmitted over the network for the multicast group is encrypted. Keys for the encryption and decryption of the data are generated based on a current key index for the multicast group, and a global passphrase. The global passphrase is not transmitted over the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Koerkel, Jason A. Smith, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9645857
    Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of partitions, each partition having its own operating system (OS) and workload. The system also includes a plurality of resources assignable to the plurality of partitions. The system also includes management logic coupled to the plurality of partitions and the plurality of resources. The management logic is configured to set priority rules for each of the plurality of partitions based on user input. The management logic performs automated resource fault management for the resources assigned to the plurality of partitions based on the priority rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Andrew C. Walton, Jeffrey A. Barlow, Howard Calkin
  • Patent number: 9502025
    Abstract: The system and method described herein may provide a natural language content dedication service in a voice services environment. In particular, providing the natural language content dedication service may generally include detecting multi-modal device interactions that include requests to dedicate content, identifying the content requested for dedication from natural language utterances included in the multi-modal device interactions, processing transactions for the content requested for dedication, processing natural language to customize the content for recipients of the dedications, and delivering the customized content to the recipients of the dedications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: VoiceBox Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mike Kennewick, Lynn Elise Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9485258
    Abstract: Mediation systems and methods for restricted access item distribution are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for facilitating payment from a user device for a restricted access item hosted by a host system is disclosed. In another embodiment, a system for facilitating payment from a user device to for a restricted access item hosted by a host system is disclosed. In another embodiment, a method for providing a mediated marketplace service is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: OPENWAVE MOBILITY, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Delany
  • Patent number: 9443233
    Abstract: A method for approving a commercial transaction using a customer generated fractal image. The method includes receiving, from a central authority, a seed, and receiving a request for the customer generated fractal image for payment of the commercial transaction with a merchant. In response to the request, payment device information is obtained and the customer generated fractal image is generated using the seed and the payment device information. The customer generated fractal image is displayed on the mobile device where it is scanned by the merchant to obtain a scanned fractal image. The scanned fractal image is sent, by the merchant, to the central authority. The central authority approves the commercial transaction by generating an expected fractal using a copy of the payment device information and the seed, and comparing the scanned fractal image with the expected fractal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Giuseppe Brunetto
  • Patent number: 9378498
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for loading double e-wallets, relating to the information security field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: FEITIAN TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Zhou Lu, Huazhang Yu
  • Patent number: 9171316
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a plurality of products from a vending machine is disclosed. The method generally allows an offer for a package to be output, in which the package defines a plurality of products, including a selected product. An apparatus is also disclosed to carry out the method steps of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Inventor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, James A. Jorasch, Robert R. Lech, Dean P. Alderucci
  • Patent number: 9147196
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering a restricted use in-store promotion to a consumer includes storing in an offer database a plurality of offer data items for use in creating an in-store promotion. The method further includes storing in an authorization database an authorization parameter and generating at a server a hyperlink including the authorization parameter. In response to receiving a request from a consumer device to present the in-store promotion, the server verifies that the consumer browser invoked the hyperlink containing the authorization parameter. The server also verifies the status of the authorization parameter. If the consumer browser invoked the hyperlink containing the authorization parameter and the status is active, the server dynamically generates the in-store promotion using at least one of the plurality of data items stored in the offer database. Once generated, the server transmits the in-store promotion to the consumer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: OnCard Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Hansen, Seth H. Sarelson, Johnathan A. Treiber
  • Patent number: 9043245
    Abstract: A computer implemented method to exchange virtual goods in a virtual environment includes receiving funds at a trading platform from a buyer. The buyer is provided with a first secret that the buyer can decrypt and a second secret that the buyer cannot decrypt. The buyer is authenticated to a seller using the first secret. A virtual item is delivered from the seller to the buyer in response to authenticating. The buyer delivers to the seller the second secret for decryption by the seller. The seller is authenticated at the trading platform with the second secret. The seller is supplied with the funds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Kaushal N. Mehta, Dan Elias Kolkowitz
  • Patent number: 9026474
    Abstract: A method and system for generating printable certificates to verify log authenticity. A logging module generates a compound document that includes metadata for changes made to pages in a document. Each time a change is made to the document, such as adding stroke data, the logging module updates the compound document with the changes. The online marketplace module displays an option for purchasing a printable certificate. In response to a request for a certificate, the logging module generates a printable certificate that includes a set number of hashes for previous transactions. The verification module can recreate a transaction and generate a hash that is compared to the certificate to verify that no tampering has occurred with the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt W. Piersol