Patents by Inventor Dan Skowronek

Dan Skowronek 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: 10740768
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for increasing participation in loyalty programs. In embodiments, the customer opts into a loyalty program. The customer is then provided with information about his or her loyalty participation and also is provided with information about one or more other customer's participation in the loyalty program. In another embodiment, one or more loyalty members can form their own competition or group within the loyalty program. The members can create loyalty sub-program rules for a competition and allow fellow loyalty members to participate in the competition. The customizable loyalty sub-program competitions further enhance member participation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Sunil Dewan, Kevin Knowles, Stuart Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20180137518
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for increasing participation in loyalty programs. In embodiments, the customer opts into a loyalty program. The customer is then provided with information about his or her loyalty participation and also is provided with information about one or more other customer's participation in the loyalty program. In another embodiment, one or more loyalty members can form their own competition or group within the loyalty program. The members can create loyalty sub-program rules for a competition and allow fellow loyalty members to participate in the competition. The customizable loyalty sub-program competitions further enhance member participation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Sunil Dewan, Kevin Knowles, Stuart Kiefer
  • Patent number: 9824366
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein generally relate to novel systems and methods for managing electronic coupons. In embodiments, the user uploads one or more coupons into a mobile device. While shopping, the mobile device receives communications from one or more NFC sensors/transmitters associated with one or more products in one or more product displays. The mobile device can determine from information in the communication to which product the communication applies. The mobile device can then search for one or more uploaded coupons that apply to the one or more products. In embodiments, the mobile device alerts the user when one or more of the coupons apply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Dominic Morea
  • Patent number: 8662401
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein generally relate to a novel mobile device containing a near field communication (NFC) component. In embodiments, the mobile device includes a payment user interface device. The payment user interface device may be a button on a keypad or may be an icon on a user interface. In embodiments, only after activating, by depressing or selecting, the payment user interface device can allow a user to use the NFC component. In embodiments, the NFC component is powered off until the activation of the payment user interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Theodore VanDeburg, Sarah Owen
  • Patent number: 7950585
    Abstract: A protected contactless presentation instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the protected contactless presentation instrument includes an RFID chip that can be manually exposed and shielded by a user. The protected contactless presentation instrument may include a moveable tab that includes the RFID chip. The protected contactless presentation instrument may also include a moveable shield. Another embodiment of the invention provides for a contactless presentation instrument that includes an electroluminescence material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Christopher T. Cocks
  • Patent number: 7774076
    Abstract: A financial institution may flag suspicious transactions that are conducted using an NFC-enabled mobile phone. The account holder establishes a second PIN that is separate from the primary PIN used by the customer to authenticate transactions. When a transaction is flagged, a message is sent to the customer at the mobile phone requesting entry of the second PIN. If the second PIN is not correctly entered, activity on the account is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventor: Dan Skowronek
  • Publication number: 20100023449
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein generally relate to a novel mobile device containing a near field communication (NFC) component. In embodiments, the mobile device includes a payment user interface device. The payment user interface device may be a button on a keypad or may be an icon on a user interface. In embodiments, only after activating, by depressing or selecting, the payment user interface device can allow a user to use the NFC component. In embodiments, the NFC component is powered off until the activation of the payment user interface device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Theodore VanDeburg, Sarah Owen
  • Publication number: 20100010964
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein generally relate to novel systems and methods for managing electronic coupons. In embodiments, the user uploads one or more coupons into a mobile device. While shopping, the mobile device receives communications from one or more NFC sensors/transmitters associated with one or more products in one or more product displays. The mobile device can determine from information in the communication to which product the communication applies. The mobile device can then search for one or more uploaded coupons that apply to the one or more products. In embodiments, the mobile device alerts the user when one or more of the coupons apply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Dominic Morea
  • Publication number: 20090240579
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for increasing participation in loyalty programs. In embodiments, the customer opts into a loyalty program. The customer is then provided with information about his or her loyalty participation and also is provided with information about one or more other customer's participation in the loyalty program. In another embodiment, one or more loyalty members can form their own competition or group within the loyalty program. The members can create loyalty sub-program rules for a competition and allow fellow loyalty members to participate in the competition. The customizable loyalty sub-program competitions further enhance member participation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Sunil Dewan, Kevin Knowles, Stuart Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20090234748
    Abstract: The embodiments described provide for systems and methods that alert a merchant of increased interchange fees. An increased interchange fee occurs when an electronic transaction, such as a credit card transaction, deviates from a standard set of criteria. For example, the sales person enters the credit card number rather than swipe the magnetic stripe of the credit card. In one embodiment, transaction information is provided to a merchant. The merchant sends the transaction information to an application. If the transaction is non-standard, the application can produce a notification that is sent to the merchant. The merchant may then address the causes of the increased interchange fee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Nicholas Bryla, Mira Olson, Christine Lopez
  • Publication number: 20090112765
    Abstract: A financial institution may flag suspicious transactions that are conducted using an NFC-enabled mobile phone. The account holder establishes a second PIN that is separate from the primary PIN used by the customer to authenticate transactions. When a transaction is flagged, a message is sent to the customer at the mobile phone requesting entry of the second PIN. If the second PIN is not correctly entered, activity on the account is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventor: Dan Skowronek
  • Publication number: 20090106160
    Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to systems and methods for processing electronic payments for retail services and goods delivered by unattended retail device. In embodiments, an unattended retail device leverages a consumer's mobile appliance to send the transaction and payment information to an authorizing authority. The authorizing authority receives the payment and transaction information, authorizes or declines the payment of the transaction, and forwards the authorization or declination to the mobile appliance. The mobile appliance then sends the authorization or declination to the unattended retail device. If authorized, the unattended retail device provides the retail good or service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventor: Dan Skowronek
  • Publication number: 20080265039
    Abstract: A protected contactless presentation instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the protected contactless presentation instrument includes an RFID chip that can be manually exposed and shielded by a user. The protected contactless presentation instrument may include a moveable tab that includes the RFID chip. The protected contactless presentation instrument may also include a moveable shield. Another embodiment of the invention provides for a contactless presentation instrument that includes an electroluminescence material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Skowronek, Christopher T. Cocks