Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Hicks

Bruce J. Hicks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10970674
    Abstract: A mobile tablet gun system interchangeably attaches and electronically couples a mobile tablet device to a base form factor through a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling and electrical communication, allowing conversion of the mobile tablet device from a portrait mode to a landscape mode without operational delay. The base form factor has a bar code scanner and bar code scanner interface PCB activated by a trigger, in communication with the mobile tablet device. The mobile tablet device includes mobile application software and a Primary Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for processing commands for running real-time custom retail applications, system applications and firmware executable on an operating system. A USB payment card reader supports MSR and EMV payment card readers. POS transactions and real-time daily store-level inventory management functions are carried out, including physical inventory, cycle counting, inventory receiving, store transfers, returns, and re-ticketing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RETAILTECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce J Hicks, James F Morris, Brian K McWhirter, DeVan McArthur
  • Patent number: 10937013
    Abstract: A points of sale (POS) docking station for interchangeably attaching and electronically coupling a mobile tablet gun system to a base form factor. An upper housing assembly is provided with a tablet cradle enclosure having a secondary printed circuit board (PCB1) for interchangeably mounting and electronically communicating with the mobile tablet. A lower housing assembly is rotationally connected to the upper housing assembly and includes a bar code scanner and a primary printed circuit board (PCB2). A secondary display screen is provided that is activated “on” when it is rotated over and parallel to the tablet cradle enclosure and turned “off” when rotated down and perpendicular to the tablet cradle enclosure. The secondary printed circuit board (PCB1) connected to the primary printed circuit board (PCB2) through a custom interface cable operable to facilitate electrical communication between the POS docking station and the mobile tablet gun system without operational delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: RETAIL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, James F. Morris, Brian K. McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20200058008
    Abstract: A points of sale (POS) docking station for interchangeably attaching and electronically coupling a mobile tablet gun system to a base form factor. An upper housing assembly is provided with a tablet cradle enclosure having a secondary printed circuit board (PCB1) for interchangeably mounting and electronically communicating with the mobile tablet. A lower housing assembly is rotationally connected to the upper housing assembly and includes a bar code scanner and a primary printed circuit board (PCB2). A secondary display screen is provided that is activated “on” when it is rotated over and parallel to the tablet cradle enclosure and turned “off” when rotated down and perpendicular to the tablet cradle enclosure. The secondary printed circuit board (PCB1) connected to the primary printed circuit board (PCB2) through a custom interface cable operable to facilitate electrical communication between the POS docking station and the mobile tablet gun system without operational delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: RETAIL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce J Hicks, James F. Morris, Brian K. McWhirter
  • Patent number: 10453047
    Abstract: A mobile scanner gun system is designed for a retail store with integrated mobile tablet device carried by employees. The mobile tablet device is connected to the pistol gun base housing through a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling, and communicates to a USB barcode scanner/reader and MSR through a specialized universal serial bus wiring harness. The Main PCB has an EEPROM controlling operations of a scanner and an MSR. The mobile tablet device has mobile applications which allow wireless communication in the form of Wi-Fi or wireless cellular with a POS store systems server and corporate ERP system, and also commands the EEPROM. Merchandise to be purchased is scanned and received by the mobile tablet device and then sent wirelessly to the POS store systems server and corporate ERP system to obtain product data concerning description, price, inventory, electronic and physical coupon, promotions, customer loyalty data and rewards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: RETAIL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Publication number: 20190228374
    Abstract: A mobile tablet gun system interchangeably attaches and electronically couples a mobile tablet device to a base form factor through a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling and electrical communication, allowing conversion of the mobile tablet device from a portrait mode to a landscape mode without operational delay. The base form factor has a bar code scanner and bar code scanner interface PCB activated by a trigger, in communication with the mobile tablet device. The mobile tablet device includes mobile application software and a Primary Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for processing commands for running real-time custom retail applications, system applications and firmware executable on an operating system. A USB payment card reader supports MSR and EMV payment card readers. POS transactions and real-time daily store-level inventory management functions are carried out, including physical inventory, cycle counting, inventory receiving, store transfers, returns, and re-ticketing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Jim F. Morris, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur
  • Patent number: 9881292
    Abstract: A mobile scanner gun system processes a POS sale transaction and performs real-time daily store level inventory management. The system includes a main body portion extending toward a handle portion and forms an interior cavity and an aperture with a lens. A plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) mobile input devices are attached to the mobile scanner gun, including a barcode scanner and payment card input devices including a “Magnetic Stripe Reader” (MSR) and a “Europay, MasterCard and Visa” (EMV) reader, both with USB access to a PIN Entry Device (PED) and a “Near Field Communications” (NFC) reader through a specialized universal serial bus wiring harness. The specialized universal series bus wiring harness is adapted to be attached to and communicate with the mobile tablet device for communicating with a system integrated therein that enables store level real-time inventory management and a fully functioning POS capability for selling merchandise in a retail sales environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: RETAIL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter
  • Patent number: 9747632
    Abstract: A store mobile cloud application system executes a retail store purchasing system having plurality of barcode scanners and scan guns integrated with a mobile tablet device carried by employees. The mobile tablet device is rotatably attached to a base housing directly below it connected by a base mount universal receiver with rotatable coupling. The Main PCB has an EEPROM controlling operations of the USB devices including the scanner and an MSR. The mobile tablet device has mobile applications which allow wireless communication with a POS store systems server and the corporate ERP system, and also commands the EEPROM. Scanned data involving a product to be purchased is received by the mobile tablet device and sent wirelessly to the POS store systems server to obtain product data. The allocation of inventory sold, but not available in the store, are processed real-time through the corporate ERP system and available for review chain-wide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Publication number: 20170140363
    Abstract: A mobile scanner gun system processes a POS sale transaction and performs real-time daily store level inventory management. The system includes a main body portion extending toward a handle portion and forms an interior cavity and an aperture with a lens. A plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) mobile input devices are attached to the mobile scanner gun, including a barcode scanner and payment card input devices including a “Magnetic Stripe Reader” (MSR) and a “Europay, MasterCard and Visa” (EMV) reader, both with USB access to a PIN Entry Device (PED) and a “Near Field Communications” (NFC) reader through a specialized universal serial bus wiring harness. The specialized universal series bus wiring harness is adapted to be attached to and communicate with the mobile tablet device for communicating with a system integrated therein that enables store level real-time inventory management and a fully functioning POS capability for selling merchandise in a retail sales environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: RETAIL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20170083888
    Abstract: A mobile scanner gun system is designed for a retail store with integrated mobile tablet device carried by employees. The mobile tablet device is connected to the pistol gun base housing through a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling, and communicates to a USB barcode scanner/reader and MSR through a specialized universal serial bus wiring harness. The Main PCB has an EEPROM controlling operations of a scanner and an MSR. The mobile tablet device has mobile applications which allow wireless communication in the form of Wi-Fi or wireless cellular with a POS store systems server and corporate ERP system, and also commands the EEPROM. Merchandise to be purchased is scanned and received by the mobile tablet device and then sent wirelessly to the POS store systems server and corporate ERP system to obtain product data concerning description, price, inventory, electronic and physical coupon, promotions, customer loyalty data and rewards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Publication number: 20170083968
    Abstract: A store mobile cloud application system executes a retail store purchasing system having plurality of barcode scanners and scan guns integrated with a mobile tablet device carried by employees. The mobile tablet device is rotatably attached to a base housing directly below it connected by a base mount universal receiver with rotatable coupling. The Main PCB has an EEPROM controlling operations of the USB devices including the scanner and an MSR. The mobile tablet device has mobile applications which allow wireless communication with a POS store systems server and the corporate ERP system, and also commands the EEPROM. Scanned data involving a product to be purchased is received by the mobile tablet device and sent wirelessly to the POS store systems server to obtain product data. The allocation of inventory sold, but not available in the store, are processed real-time through the corporate ERP system and available for review chain-wide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Patent number: 9558482
    Abstract: A POS docking station for a mobile scanner gun system or mobile tablet (tablet) processes POS sales transactions. An upper housing assembly enclosure houses the “tablet” in a “cradle fashion” fitting snuggly around the “tablet”, providing stability and form fit integration. An electrical connector integrates the upper housing to a printed circuit board (PCB1) to the “tablet”. A base housing assembly includes a scanner trigger button, a base mounting plate, a primary printed circuit board (PCB2) with at least one USB, Ethernet, Serial port, scan switch interface and an external power supply port, and a tilting and rotational mechanism. PCB1 is connected to PCB2 through an interface cable connecting the POS docking station to the “tablet”. USB, Ethernet, Serial ports, scan switch interface and power supply within the base housing assembly are fully operable to the “tablet”, and can be connected to a variety of store systems POS peripheral devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J Hicks, Brian K McWhirter
  • Patent number: 9430681
    Abstract: A mobile scanner gun system efficiently and reliably processes a retail store purchase and/or performs daily store inventory management functions. The system has a main body portion extending toward a handle portion, the main body portion having a base, side walls, a front wall and a back wall constructed to form an interior cavity, wherein the front wall includes an aperture with a lens recessed therein. The front wall has a trigger member located near the base of the main body. A USB scanner input device is mounted above and in front of the trigger, the scanner having two drivers, including 1) a native device driver and 2) a keyboard input driver, the scanner device being in communication with the trigger for initiating a scan of a barcode. A USB MSR input device is integrated on the short edge of the mobile tablet device (upper receiver) and is used for processing payment card sales transactions through a secured PCI compliant, end to end encrypted bank card processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Publication number: 20160203455
    Abstract: A POS docking station for a mobile scanner gun system or mobile tablet (tablet) processes POS sales transactions. An upper housing assembly enclosure houses the “tablet” in a “cradle fashion” fitting snuggly around the “tablet”, providing stability and form fit integration. An electrical connector integrates the upper housing to a printed circuit board (PCB1) to the “tablet”. A base housing assembly includes a scanner trigger button, a base mounting plate, a primary printed circuit board (PCB2) with at least one USB, Ethernet, Serial port, scan switch interface and an external power supply port, and a tilting and rotational mechanism. PCB1 is connected to PCB2 through an interface cable connecting the POS docking station to the “tablet”. USB, Ethernet, Serial ports, scan switch interface and power supply within the base housing assembly are fully operable to the “tablet”, and can be connected to a variety of store systems POS peripheral devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: RETAIL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter
  • Publication number: 20160055357
    Abstract: A mobile scanner gun system efficiently and reliably processes a retail store purchase and/or performs daily store inventory management functions. The system has a main body portion extending toward a handle portion, the main body portion having a base, side walls, a front wall and a back wall constructed to form an interior cavity, wherein the front wall includes an aperture with a lens recessed therein. The front wall has a trigger member located near the base of the main body. A USB scanner input device is mounted above and in front of the trigger, the scanner having two drivers, including 1) a native device driver and 2) a keyboard input driver, the scanner device being in communication with the trigger for initiating a scan of a barcode. A USB MSR input device is integrated on the short edge of the mobile tablet device (upper receiver) and is used for processing payment card sales transactions through a secured PCI compliant, end to end encrypted bank card processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Patent number: 9092765
    Abstract: A retail store purchasing system has a plurality of wearable mobile scanner systems with mobile tablet devices integration capability therein adapted to be carried by employees. Each wearable mobile scanner system comprises a mobile tablet device attached to a wearable base housing directly below it, and connected by a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling. The Main PCB has an EEPROM controlling operations of a USB scanner and MSR. The mobile tablet device has an application which allows wireless communication with a POS store systems server and also commands the EEPROM. A product to be purchased is scanned by activating a button associated with said wearable mobile scanner system. This scanned data is received through the Main PCB to the mobile tablet device USB port and is sent wirelessly to the POS store systems server to obtain product data concerning description, price, inventory and promotions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Patent number: 8972283
    Abstract: A wearable mobile scanner system processes a retail store purchase in a convenient, time efficient and reliable manner. The wearable mobile scanner system includes a forearm portion and a hand portion. The forearm portion comprises a main body member and at least one strap member and is adapted to secure the forearm portion upon a user's forearm. The hand portion comprises a central forehand member, a palm member, and a forefinger aperture, wherein the hand portion is aligned with the forearm portion and wherein the hand portion is adapted to receive a hand of the user. A trigger member is located on the forefinger aperture in communication with a USB scanner input device mounted on the central forehand member of the hand portion. A system integrated therein enables store level real-time inventory management and a fully functioning mobile POS for selling merchandise throughout the store and beyond its walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Patent number: 8856033
    Abstract: A mobile scanner gun system efficiently and reliably processes a retail store purchase and/or performs daily store inventory management functions. The system has a main body portion extending toward a handle portion, the main body portion having a base, side walls, a front wall and a back wall constructed to form an interior cavity, wherein the front wall includes an aperture with a lens recessed therein. The front wall has a trigger member located near the base of the main body. A USB MSR input device integrated on the short edge of the mobile tablet device (upper receiver) is used for processing payment card sales transactions through a secured PCI compliant, end to end encrypted bank card processor. The mobile tablet device has a system integrated therein that enables real-time store level inventory management and fully functioning POS capability for selling merchandise in a retail sales environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Retail Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Publication number: 20140249943
    Abstract: A retail store purchasing system has a plurality of wearable mobile scanner systems with mobile tablet devices integration capability therein adapted to be carried by employees. Each wearable mobile scanner system comprises a mobile tablet device attached to a wearable base housing directly below it, and connected by a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling. The Main PCB has an EEPROM controlling operations of a USB scanner and MSR. The mobile tablet device has an application which allows wireless communication with a POS store systems server and also commands the EEPROM. A product to be purchased is scanned by activating a button associated with said wearable mobile scanner system. This scanned data is received through the Main PCB to the mobile tablet device USB port and is sent wirelessly to the POS store systems server to obtain product data concerning description, price, inventory and promotions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Publication number: 20140249944
    Abstract: A wearable mobile scanner system processes a retail store purchase in a convenient, time efficient and reliable manner. The wearable mobile scanner system includes a forearm portion and a hand portion. The forearm portion comprises a main body member and at least one strap member and is adapted to secure the forearm portion upon a user's forearm. The hand portion comprises a central forehand member, a palm member, and a forefinger aperture, wherein the hand portion is aligned with the forearm portion and wherein the hand portion is adapted to receive a hand of the user. A trigger member is located on the forefinger aperture in communication with a USB scanner input device mounted on the central forehand member of the hand portion. A system integrated therein enables store level real-time inventory management and a fully functioning mobile POS for selling merchandise throughout the store and beyond its walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams
  • Publication number: 20140249942
    Abstract: A mobile scanner gun system efficiently and reliably processes a retail store purchase and/or performs daily store inventory management functions. The system has a main body portion extending toward a handle portion, the main body portion having a base, side walls, a front wall and a back wall constructed to form an interior cavity, wherein the front wall includes an aperture with a lens recessed therein. The front wall has a trigger member located near the base of the main body. A USB MSR input device integrated on the short edge of the mobile tablet device (upper receiver) is used for processing payment card sales transactions through a secured PCI compliant, end to end encrypted bank card processor. The mobile tablet device has a system integrated therein that enables real-time store level inventory management and fully functioning POS capability for selling merchandise in a retail sales environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce J. Hicks, Brian K. McWhirter, DeVan McArthur, Bromley Williams