Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Bierbaum
Christopher J. Bierbaum 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).
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Patent number: 9985735Abstract: A broadcasting system having a transmitter that broadcasts a one-way signal is provided. The one-way signal is embedded with data that is transmitted to a device that is enabled with near field communication (NFC) technology. The NFC-enabled device may then transfer at least a portion of the transmitted embedded data to another NFC-enabled device by bringing the NFC-enabled devices into close proximity to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin D. Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 9552584Abstract: A mobile device having a time controlled electronic wallet is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a processor and an electronic wallet application that executes on the processor. The electronic wallet application enters a ready-to-pay mode, initiates a ready-to-pay timer when entering the ready-to-pay mode, transmits the confidential information when in the ready-to-pay mode based on receiving contactless communication, and leaves the ready-to-pay mode when the ready-to-pay timer expires.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Allison A. DiMartino, Robert H. Miller, Elizabeth Roche, Jason Whitney, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 9064246Abstract: A mobile payment services integration system is provided. The system comprises a computer system and an application, that when executed on the computer system, maintains a list of payment options associated with a portable electronic device. The system also authenticates an identity of the portable electronic device in connection with a first online purchase transaction with a first online merchant. The system also orders payment using one of the payment options to the first online merchant. The system also authenticates the identity of the portable electronic device in connection with a second online purchase transaction with a second online merchant, where the first online merchant is unaffiliated with the second online merchant. The system also orders payment using one of the payment options to the second online merchant.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Keith Anderson, Christopher J. Bierbaum, Allison A. DiMartino, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 9003331Abstract: A computer based method is provided. The computer based method comprises a first electronic device launching an application and, in response to launching the application, the first electronic device receiving a first message from a second electronic device. The first message comprises a first link. The computer based method further comprises the first electronic device configuring a graphical user interface of the application to couple a dynamic selector of the graphical user interface to the first link and presenting a first screen of the graphical user interface, the first screen comprising the dynamic selector and a plurality of static selectors, wherein selecting the dynamic selector activates the first link.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Keith Anderson, Christopher J. Bierbaum, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 8689012Abstract: A method of diagnosing a mobile device is provided. The method comprises obtaining an access key from a key store based on an identity of the mobile device and based on an identity associated with an issuer of a confidential information, wherein the access key is associated with a secure element of the mobile device storing the confidential information. The method also comprises wirelessly transmitting a message from a station associated with the issuer to the mobile device to initiate diagnostics of at least the secure element of the mobile device, the message comprising the access key, wherein the diagnostics are performed by diagnostic instructions stored on the mobile device. The method also comprises displaying the result of the diagnostics.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin D. Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin K. Zhu
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Patent number: 8566168Abstract: A near field communication payment method using a proxy account number. The method comprises transmitting a proxy account number from a secure element of a mobile phone to a point-of-sale terminal using a near field communication radio link; transmitting the proxy account number from the point-of-sale terminal to a payment mediation server; transmitting the proxy account number from the payment mediation server to a proxy account manager; determining a selected payment account number by the proxy account manager based in part on retrieving a plurality of payment account numbers from a proxy account number data store using the proxy account number; transmitting the selected payment account number to the payment mediation server by the proxy account manager; and the payment mediation server completing a payment completion transaction with the point-of-sale terminal using the selected payment account number.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Warren B. Cope, Robin D. Katzer, Lyle W. Paczkowski
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Patent number: 8255159Abstract: A mobile electronic device is disclosed. The mobile electronic device comprises a near-field-communications receiver and an application. The near-field-communication transceiver receives identification information from at least one of a transit vehicle and a transit platform. The application, when executed on the mobile electronic device, receives a transit destination as entered into the mobile electronic device. Based on the identification information and a transit system route map, the application presents a notification on the mobile electronic device that the identification information does not agree with the transit destination.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin D. Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 8225997Abstract: A mobile device is provided. The mobile device comprises a near field communication transceiver, a memory that contains a secure element, and an application that can pay multiple transit fares. The near field communication transceiver is used to complete fare payment transactions with a fare gate, based on a transit funds balance. The secure element in the memory stores the transit funds balance. The application, when executed on the mobile device, pays a plurality of fares corresponding to a plurality of passengers entering a public transportation system via the fare gate at substantially the same time.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin D. Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin K. Zhu
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Patent number: 8181867Abstract: A system is provided for transit card credit authorization. An authorization component on a mobile device determines whether a balance on a transit card application on the mobile device is below a threshold, and determines whether a communication signal is too weak to request an approval for a balance increase from a server in response to a determination that the balance on the transit card application is below the threshold. The authorization component also determines whether credit data on the mobile device authorizes increasing the balance in response to a determination that the communication signal is too weak to request the approval for the balance increase from the server, and authorizes increasing the balance in response to a determination that the credit data authorizes increasing the balance. A fare gate enables access for the mobile device at the fare gate in response to the authorization component authorizing increasing the balance.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin Dale Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 8126769Abstract: A method of electronic transit fare payment is provided. The method comprises receiving a transit card state correction input and storing a transit card state correction record based on receiving the transit card state correction input. The method also comprises changing the transit card state in response to receiving the transit card state correction input. The method also comprises providing transit card information including the transit card state correction record to a exit fare gate to support electronic payment with a transit card.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin D. Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 7967196Abstract: A mobile device having a time controlled electronic wallet is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a processor and an electronic wallet application that executes on the processor. The electronic wallet application enters a ready-to-pay mode, initiates a ready-to-pay timer when entering the ready-to-pay mode, transmits the confidential information when in the ready-to-pay mode based on receiving contactless communication, and leaves the ready-to-pay mode when the ready-to-pay timer expires.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Allison A. DiMartino, Robert H. Miller, Elizabeth Roche, Jason Whitney, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 7832634Abstract: A system is provided for customer care intelligent routing. The system includes a mobile device and a server. The mobile device includes a transaction component and an error manager. The error manager determines that an error occurred during a point-of-sale transaction involving the transaction component and promotes the transmitting of transaction data to the server. The server determines a provider related to the error, and promotes the routing of the transaction data to the related provider.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Sprint Communication Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin D. Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 7797248Abstract: An electronic transit fare payment system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of mobile devices adapted to store a transit fare payment application and a server in wireless communication with the mobile devices. The transit fare payment application decrements a transit fare funds balance by a fare amount after completing a transit ride, wirelessly requests a top-up of the transit funds balance when the transit funds balance drops below a threshold, wirelessly receives a top-up instruction, increments the transit fare funds balance in response to executing the top-up instruction, and wirelessly transmits a top-up confirmation. The server receives the request for the top-up, charges the top-up to a credit card associated with the mobile device requesting the top-up, transmits the top-up instruction to the mobile device requesting the top-up, receives the top-up confirmation. When the top-up confirmation is not received, the server requests top-up confirmation from the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Robin D. Katzer, Todd N. Koellner, Kevin Zhu
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Patent number: 7562818Abstract: A system is provided for using a transit card application for providing access to a fare gate. The system includes a server and a mobile device. The mobile device determines whether a balance on the transit card application is below a threshold, and requests an approval for a balance increase from the server in response to determining that the balance on the transit card application is below the threshold. The server determines whether a predetermined payment source has sufficient value for the balance increase in response to the request for the approval from the mobile device, and approves the request in response to determining that the predetermined payment source has sufficient value for the balance increase. The mobile device promotes increasing the balance on the transit card application in response to the approval by the server.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Christopher J. Bierbaum, Kevin Zhu