Patents by Inventor John Ekers

John Ekers 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: 20140180918
    Abstract: A hybrid stored-value card system is designed to support and effectively link uniquely designed physical stored-value cards with digital stored-value cards. Each physical stored-value card is preferably provided with a unique mobile link code that can be retrieved by a mobile device using automated means of data capture. The link code is transmitted to a server in direct communication with the mobile device along with certain pre-defined user information, such as the card owner name, email address and mobile number. The server utilizes the link code to create a corresponding digital stored-value card that can be downloaded and installed onto the mobile device in a format and design as specified by the card issuer. Using the user information, the server is able to maintain a direct communication path with the mobile device and thereby provide real-time notifications and updates to the card owner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: John Ekers, Keith Goldstein, Rich Eicher, JR.
  • Publication number: 20070056027
    Abstract: A credential production system and methods for securely processing a credential substrate and tracking quantities of consumable material using a credentials production system and secured consumable supplies. The system includes a consumable supply and a memory that contains a state identifier that defines a state of the supply. A supply manager is configured to access the memory and set the state identifier to one of a production disabled state and a production enabled state. The system also includes a credential production device that is configured to receive the state of the supply. The credential production device is authorized to process a credential substrate using the consumable supply when the state identifier is set to the production enabled state, and the credential production device is prevented form processing the credential substrate using the supply when the state identifier is set to the production disabled state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: FARGO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kelly Nehowig, David Gale, Lisa Fischer, Keith Platfoot, John Ekers, Thomas Zappe
  • Publication number: 20070043684
    Abstract: A credential production system includes at least one credential production device, at least one computing device in communication with the at least one credential production device and a central administrator device configured to enable an authentication feature on the at least one credential production device. The at least one computing device is configured to access the at least one credential production device for providing processing instructions for processing a credential substrate. The at least one computing device is authenticated by the at least one credential production device prior to providing the processing instructions to the at least one credential production device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: FARGO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kelly Nehowig, David Gale, Lisa Fischer, Keith Platfoot, John Ekers, Thomas Zappe
  • Publication number: 20070043764
    Abstract: A credential production system includes a credential production device and a computing device in communication with the credential production device. The computing device receives a credential production event from the credential production device. The computing device applies a pre-defined set of rules to the credential production event to determine if the credential production event violates any of the pre-defined set of rules. The computing device performs an action if the credential production event violates at least one of the pre-defined set of rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: FARGO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kelly Nehowig, David Gale, Lisa Fischer, Keith Platfoot, John Ekers, Thomas Zappe
  • Publication number: 20060123471
    Abstract: A method and system for securely processing a credential substrate using a credentials production system and secured consumable supply. The consumable supply is selectively in one of a plurality of states including a production disabled state and a production enabled state. The state of the consumable supply is changed from the production disabled state to the production enabled state. The state in the consumable supply is verified as being in the production enabled state prior to processing the credential substrate using the consumable supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: Fargo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Fontanella, Gary Klinefelter, Jeffrey Upin, John Ekers, Thomas Platner, Kelly Nehowig, Angela Goldenstein
  • Publication number: 20060037065
    Abstract: In a method for preventing unauthorized credential substrate processing in a credential production system that includes first and second credential production components, a first security code is generated using a random code and a first security key with the first credential production component. The first security code is communicated from the first credential production component to the second credential production component. The validity of the first security key is then checked using the first security code, the random code and a second security key with the second credential component. Finally, processing of the credential substrate by the credential production system is prevented when the first security key is not valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: Fargo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ekers, Gary Klinefelter, Stacy Lukaskawcez, Mark Oeltjenbruns, Thomas Zappe
  • Publication number: 20050257253
    Abstract: In a method of issuing a credential, a request for issuance of the credential is received. Next, a unique identification for the requested credential is assigned and data elements corresponding to the credential are provided. A credential production data collection is built in accordance with a credential production template. The credential production data collection includes the unique identification and production job data. Production commands are then provided to a credential production device based on the credential production data collection and the credential is produced using the credential production device in response to the production commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Applicant: Fargo Electronics, Inc
    Inventors: John Ekers, Gary Klinefelter, David Fontanella