Patents by Inventor Jeffrey J. Smith

Jeffrey J. Smith 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: 20150193715
    Abstract: Systems and methods for targeting an appropriate level of instructions to an associate of a point of sale device are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method may be implemented at a computing device comprising a processor and memory. The method includes initiating a transaction associated with a product identifier. The method also includes identifying a user associated with the transaction. The method also includes determining multiple transaction processing instructions for the product identifier. The method also includes selecting one or more of the transaction processing instructions based on product identifier and the identified user. Further, the method includes presenting one or more of the transaction processing instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: David Bernath, Jeffrey J. Smith, Julia Bond
  • Publication number: 20150186665
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the generation, display and capture of a data set with a broadcast signature are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method may include receiving a first data set and at least one second data set. The method may also include generating an encoded first data set for display and generating at least one encoded second data set for display, wherein the at least one encoded second data set is mathematically encrypted. Further, the method may include displaying the encoded first data set and displaying the at least one encoded second data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Dean F. Herring, Brad M. Johnson, D. Scott Miller, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150186979
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking sales and providing sales channel credit are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method may include creating as sales order for the purchase of one or more products. The method may also include adding the product(s) to the sales order. Further, the method may include creating a transaction number representing a sales channel and the product(s). The method may also include assigning the transaction number representing the sales channel to the sales order. Further, the method may include storing the sales order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Bernath, Julia Bond, William Noonan, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150137608
    Abstract: A programmable logic circuit assigns a value to an outlet of a power distribution unit (PDU) that comprises a power source at an input of the PDU and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) associated with the outlet. The programmable logic circuit sends the value to a program on a hardware device that comprises one or more power supplies. The programmable logic circuit receives information from the program. Subsequently, an illumination state of the LED is modified based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: John C. Hilburn, Jeffrey J. Smith, Marshall S. Stanley, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20150100445
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interaction with objects to implement a retail function are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system may be implemented by a computing device and a wearable detection device. The detection device may obtain data associated with a user part and an object. For example, the detection device may be an image capture device, such as a camera, that captures one or more images of a retail item and interaction of a user's finger with the item. The computing device may implement a retail function manager operable to receive data associated with a user part and an object. For example, the detection device may communicate to the computing device image data representative of the interaction of the user's hand or finger with the retail item. Further, the retail function manager may implement a retail function based on the interaction of the user part and the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Brad M. Johnson, Dean F. Herring, Jeffrey J. Smith, Seth T. Teeples
  • Patent number: 8972753
    Abstract: A programmable logic circuit assigns a value to an outlet of a power distribution unit (PDU) that comprises a power source at an input of the PDU and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) associated with the outlet. The programmable logic circuit sends the value to a program on a hardware device that comprises one or more power supplies. The programmable logic circuit receives information from the program. Subsequently, an illumination state of the LED is modified based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Hilburn, Jeffrey J. Smith, Marshall S. Stanley, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20150032265
    Abstract: Environmental condition control and monitoring systems and methods are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a condition profile of an object. Further, the method includes identifying the object within an environment. The method also includes determining whether the environment meets a requirement defined by the condition profile of the object. The method also includes controlling environment conditioning equipment based on whether the environment meets the requirement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Dean F. Herring, Brad M. Johnson, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8938776
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for securing information for a virtual world environment. The method includes creating information for a virtual world environment, transmitting the information to the virtual world environment from the memory, selectively removing the information from the virtual world environment, and selectively storing the information on a memory external to the server to prevent access from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Meserth, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20150016051
    Abstract: A display assembly is provided. The display may include a holder defining a first portion and an electronic device defining a corresponding second portion that is in magnetic attraction to the first portion when the electronic device is positioned about the holder. At least one of the first portion and the second portion defines a magnet having an exposed magnetic surface area that increases along a length of the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Dean F. Herring, Brad M. Johnson, Jeffrey J. Smith, Robert A. Myers
  • Publication number: 20150019358
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a self-checkout system based on shopper assistant intervention are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes deducing that shopper assistant intervention occurs in a self-checkout environment based on detection of one or more events in a self-checkout system. The events may occur at shopper terminals of the self-checkout system and may require attention of a shopper assistant monitoring the shopper terminals. The method also includes adjusting a security level of the self-checkout system in response to deducing that shopper assistant intervention occurs. Further, the method may include implementing a predetermined action in response to adjusting the security level of the self-checkout system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Fredrik Carlegren, Gregory H. Delott, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140351086
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for enhancing a shopping experience that include: determining, by a self-checkout terminal, that a shopper invoked a help event; selecting, by the self-checkout terminal in dependence upon the help event, a shopper assistant to assist the shopper; and providing, by the self-checkout terminal to the shopper, distinguishing information identifying the shopper assistant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: JEFFREY J. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20140341686
    Abstract: A container handling system is adapted to move, deploy, and retrieve containers used to manage waste or other materials. The container handling system includes a vehicle and a hoist unit coupled to the vehicle to move therewith and relative to the vehicle. The hoist unit includes a hoist frame and a hoist-frame mover coupled to both the vehicle and the hoist frame to cause the hoist frame to move between a transport position in which the hoist frame is generally horizontal and a use position in which the hoist frame is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal to facilitate deployment and retrieval of containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Randall Sommers, Donald Galbreath, Troy A. Elkenberry, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140330655
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on biometric characteristics of a customer are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes interacting with a customer at a transaction terminal. The method also includes determining a biometric characteristic of the customer based on the interaction with the customer. Further, the method may include adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on the biometric characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Bilal Aziz, Dean F. Herring, Brad M. Johnson, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140324609
    Abstract: Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Dean F. Herring, John A. Hibbard, Brad M. Johnson, John D. Landers, Jr., Duane Scott Miller, Jeffrey J. Smith, David J. Steiner, William L. Talley, Jeff D. Thomas, Paul M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8856032
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a self-checkout system based on shopper assistant intervention are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes deducing that shopper assistant intervention occurs in a self-checkout environment based on detection of one or more events in a self-checkout system. The events may occur at shopper terminals of the self-checkout system and may require attention of a shopper assistant monitoring the shopper terminals. The method also includes adjusting a security level of the self-checkout system in response to deducing that shopper assistant intervention occurs. Further, the method may include implementing a predetermined action in response to adjusting the security level of the self-checkout system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrik Carlegren, Gregory H. Delott, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140278745
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing retail process analytics information based on physiological indicator data are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method may include using a processor and memory for receiving physiological indicator data associated with a person. The processor and memory may also be used for determining a retail environment condition at a time associated with the physiological indicator data. Further, the processor and memory may be used for generating retail process analytics information for user presentation based on the physiological indicator data and the retail environment condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Dean F. Herring, Brad M. Johnson, Jeffrey J. Smith, Adrian X. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20140257937
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing computing device features based on user interaction are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method comprises using at least one processor and memory for determining a measure of interaction of a user at a computing device. The method also includes determining whether the measure meets a predetermined criterion. Further, the method includes implementing a feature set by the user in response to determining that the measure meets the predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: David A. Bernath, Jarrad A. Giles, Brad M. Johnson, Bradley T. Marchesseault, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8812367
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on biometric characteristics of a customer are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes interacting with a customer at a transaction terminal. The method also includes determining a biometric characteristic of the customer based on the interaction with the customer. Further, the method may include adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on the biometric characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Bilal Aziz, Dean F. Herring, Brad M. Johnson, Jeffrey J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8800872
    Abstract: Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Dean F. Herring, John A. Hibbard, Brad M. Johnson, John D. Landers, Jr., Duane S. Miller, Jeffrey J. Smith, David J. Steiner, William L. Talley, Jeff D. Thomas, Paul M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8723962
    Abstract: Mechanisms, in a portable computing device comprising a camera, for exchanging information between a user and a provider are provided. With these mechanisms, an image is captured using the camera of the portable computing device and an identifier of a physical object associated with the captured image is determined. The portable computing device transmits the identifier of the physical object, and user information describing a user of the portable computing device, to a separate computing device associated with a provider of the physical object. The portable computing device receives information associated with the physical object from the separate computing device associated with the provider of the physical object. A storage device of the portable computing device stores the physical object information in association with at least one of the captured image or the identifier of the physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dean F. Herring, Brad M. Johnson, Adrian X. Rodriguez, Jeffrey J. Smith, David J. Steiner