Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Mullen

Jeffrey D. Mullen 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).

  • Publication number: 20210299316
    Abstract: A UV-C Amplifier is provided where multiple UV-C LEDs are provided around a work area (e.g., a hollow cylinder) in order to sterilize contaminants in that work area (e.g., virus and/or bacteria) to provide a sterilization device for substances in, or flowing through, the work area. The sterilization device have, for example, mating structures so that the device may be mated with other devices such as, for example, a ventilator or face mask. The sterilization device may be portable and may include one or more rechargeable batteries so that the device can sterilize material flowing into, through, and/or out of one or more devices such as a ventilator or face mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Andrew Veter, Keith Huthmacher, Peter Gilgunn, James Nelson, David Malarik
  • Publication number: 20210299302
    Abstract: A hands-free object sanitization system is provided where multiple UV-C LEDs are provided around a work area (e.g., a surface) in order to sterilize contaminants located on objects placed in that work area (e.g., virus and/or bacteria). Objects may travel through the work area without direct human intervention so that a hands-free sanitization system is provided. For example, objects may be dropped through a working area so that gravity provides a transport force through that working area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Andrew Veter, Keith Huthmacher, Peter Gilgunn, James Nelson, David Malarik
  • Publication number: 20210299318
    Abstract: An UV-C device may include several UV-C light sources (e.g., UV-C LEDs) and such UV-C LEDs may have UV-C reflecting structures arranged to direct UV-C in a particular direction and at a particular size and shape. Doing so may, for example, increase the UV-C in a particular direction or working area. A UV-C generating device may be utilized in an air stream, such as an air duct, to sterilize air from that air stream. Air may be pushed out of an annulus at the end of an air inactivation device and an annulus outlet cone may be provided in the middle of the annulus to assist, for example, inactivated air in moving smoothly away from the device and reduce pressure at the annulus exit. A UV-C inactivation tube may have UV-C reflective structures at each end to permit air to flow through the tube while reflecting UV-C light back into the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Andrew Veter, Keith Huthmacher, Peter Gilgunn, James Nelson, David Malarik, Jun Yu
  • Publication number: 20210299317
    Abstract: An air sanitization device is provided where a UV-C generator applied UV-C to infected air for sterilization and then the sterilized air is used to cool heat sinks attached to the UV-C. One or more fans can be utilized to push and/or pull air through the device. For example, the fans may create airflow in the device above, for example 200 liters per minute or above 400 liters per minute. Accordingly, a closed air system with a fan may push air through a UV-C generation device to sanitize air and the sanitized air may be pushed over a heat sink attached to the UV-C generation device and then pushed out of the closed air system into the environment. Thus, sanitized air may be circulated by the fan while being air cooled in a manner that does not circulate contaminated air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Andrew Veter, Keith Huthmacher, Peter Gilgunn, James Nelson, David Malarik, Jun Yu
  • Publication number: 20210299380
    Abstract: An array of high intensity UVC LEDs usable for in vivo reduction of patient viral load or ex vivo sterilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Andrew Veter, Keith Huthmacher, Peter Gilgunn
  • Publication number: 20210299301
    Abstract: A UV-C generator is provided where multiple UV-C LEDs are provided around a work area (e.g., a surface) in order to sterilize contaminants in that work area (e.g., virus and/or bacteria). The sterilization device can be utilized, for example, in a wand, broom, set distance surface sterilizer, hand sanitizer, foot sanitizer, conveyer sanitizer, or any other sanitizer. Mating structures may be included to mate multiple devices to extend work area that may be impacted. The devices may be portable and may include one or more rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Andrew Veter, Keith Huthmacher, Peter Gilgunn, James Nelson, David Malarik
  • Patent number: 11128745
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversion in wireless devices such as wireless telephones, remote facilities, and land-based devices such as land-line telephones. A wireless telephone, such as a personal cellular telephone, is provided that converts audio data such as a voice message into text data such that a user can view the contents of the voice message as text on the user's wireless telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Mullen
  • Patent number: 11126997
    Abstract: A user is provided with a GUI that may allow the user to change functionality associated with a non-powered card, a powered card or other device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device). The functionality associated with the device may be displayed by the GUI as a list of third-party applications that may be executed when the user's card or other device is used to complete a purchase transaction. The GUI allows the user to purchase/redeem goods and/or services from a third-party vendor after the purchase transaction is completed or may allow the goods and/or services to be purchased/redeemed without first requiring a purchase transaction. A fulfillment system hosted by a remote facility administers the goods/services delivery by tracking user information, mailing information, and delivery status tracking information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Ripple, Jeffrey D. Mullen, Benjamin C. Cupp, Jonathan L. Beaver
  • Patent number: 11122418
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating a cellular phone are provided. More particularly, systems and methods for providing the location of a requested user's cellular phone from a requesting user's device (e.g., a second cellular phone) based on access rights defined by the requested user. Location descriptions may be provided at a multitude of levels. For example, if a cellular phone, or an identity associated to (e.g., logged into) a cellular phone, has been given access rights to a cell phone's exact location for an indefinite amount of time, that cell phone can receive, on command, the exact location of the approved cell phone. Other levels of location information that can be granted include, for example, proximities, states, and countries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey D Mullen
  • Patent number: 11120427
    Abstract: A card is provided with a light sensor operable to receive information via light emitted from a display screen or another source of light. Accordingly, a mobile telephonic device or portable computer (e.g., tablet computer) may communicate information to a card via light pulses. Information communicated via light may include, for example, points balances, credit balances, debit balances, transaction history, software updates, coupons, promotions, advertisements or any other type of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, David J. Hartwick, Christopher J. Rigatti, Philip W. Yen
  • Patent number: 11103785
    Abstract: A location-based game system is provided. Such a system may take the form of any device (e.g., a wireless telephone) that includes a locating device (e.g., a GPS system). One such location-based game may operate such that the actual, physical location of a user on a physical playfield corresponds to the location of a virtual character on a virtual playfield. Such location based games are referred to herein as actuality games. In one multiplayer actuality embodiment, two game devices may communicate location, and other, information to a remote database such that the two user's may interact on different physical playfields, but play on the same virtual playfield. A number of wireless communications protocols, self-configuration, and auto-download software applications are also provided to optimize integration with, for example, a wireless telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey D Mullen
  • Patent number: 11100431
    Abstract: A mobile device may receive security credentials from a contactless device via a contactless communication channel to authorize functions that may be performed by the mobile device. For example, purchase transactions may be authorized to be completed by a mobile device after payment information communicated from a physical payment card to the mobile device is confirmed to match at least a portion of payment information stored within a memory of the mobile device. A mobile device may forward the security credentials to a network entity for remote authorization of a requested function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Christopher J. Rigatti, Michael T. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20210216842
    Abstract: A device, such as a flexible card, may include a secure element to store first card information, a second secure element to store second card information, and a slider to select between secure elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Keith Huthmacher
  • Patent number: 11062195
    Abstract: A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe reader—yet communicate different information based on time. An emulator may receive information as well as communicate information to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, David N. Lambeth, Bruce Cloutier
  • Patent number: 11055600
    Abstract: A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card, that may transmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic emulator. The emulator may transmit the information serially in order to reduce the amount of circuitry needed to emulate a particular block of information. Additionally, for example, a serial encoder may send any amount of information through a single emulation segment. Such a magnetic emulator may be provided on a credit card. A dynamic credit card number may be provided by, for example, coding a number with a different coding scheme for different periods of time. The magnetic emulator may be utilized to transmit a particular coded number for a particular period of time. In this manner, a dynamic credit card number may be provided such that to help secure, and progress, a payment transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, David Lambeth, Ryan Kellog
  • Patent number: 11037045
    Abstract: A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to act as a magnetic stripe read-head detector and a data transmitter. A multiple layer flexible PCB may be fabricated to include multiple magnetic emulators. An emulator may include a coil that includes magnetic, ferromagnetic, or ferromagnetic, material in the coil's interior. Coils may be associated with zones. As a read-head is detected to move from zone-to-zone, coils may be activated to transmit information in those zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, David Lambeth, Bruce Cloutier
  • Patent number: 11033821
    Abstract: A location-based game system is provided. Such a system may take the form of any device (e.g., a wireless telephone) that includes a locating device (e.g., a GPS system). One such location-based game may operate such that the actual, physical location of a user on a physical playfield corresponds to the location of a virtual character on a virtual playfield. Such location based games are referred to herein as actuality games. In one multiplayer actuality embodiment, two game devices may communicate location, and other, information to a remote database such that the two user's may interact on different physical playfields, but play on the same virtual playfield. A number of wireless communications protocols, self-configuration, and auto-download software applications are also provided to optimize integration with, for example, a wireless telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Mullen
  • Patent number: 11003970
    Abstract: Advanced loyalty applications are provided to improve the functionality of cards and devices. For example, a user interface may be placed on a card (e.g., a physical button) or a telephonic device (e.g., a virtual button on a capacitive touch screen). Manual input provided to this user interface may, for example, cause a non-merchant product (e.g., insurance) to be purchased with a merchant purchase. The product can be paid for with debit, credit, gift card balance, or points. A code indicative of a user's desire to purchase the product may be communicated to a payment card reader (e.g., to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic stripe communications device). A display may be provided next to a button to allow a user to scroll, or toggle by pressing the button repeatedly, through different products (which may be merchant or non-merchant products).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Philip W. Yen, Jeffrey D. Mullen
  • Patent number: 10997489
    Abstract: A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe reader—yet communicate different information based on time. An emulator may receive information as well as communicate information to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, David Lambeth, Bruce Cloutier
  • Publication number: 20210110391
    Abstract: A wallet card or other device includes three buttons, a PCB antenna for connection to all cellular bands including low band, mid band and high band, dual pressure sensors operable to determine velocity and/or as an independent trigger, a cellular chip whose encryption/decryption key between a payment network and the cellular chip is dynamically changeable for security, and a dynamic magnetic communications device operable to communicate data using a magnetic data waveform with amplitude adjusted by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullen, Ryan Patrick Dew, Andrew Veter, Keith Huthmacher, Kevin D. Bruner, Allen D. Bowers, Chengliu Li