Patents by Inventor Jonathan Otto

Jonathan Otto 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: 20090125411
    Abstract: A method for querying an end user, including the steps of generating, in a processor of a specially programmed general-purpose computer, a query as to whether an item is out of stock at a retail location or missing at the retail location and transmitting the query from an interface element in the general-purpose computer to a communication network for transmission to a wireless communications device located in the retail location. In some aspects, the query includes an option for payment of the order; the method generates an offer regarding an option for gaining possession of the order and transmits the offer to the communication network; or the method determines that the order is available at another retail location, different that the first retail location, generates a notification regarding the availability at the other retail location, and transmitting the notification to the network for transmission to the wireless communications device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Michael R. Mueller, Andrew Van Luchene
  • Publication number: 20090125442
    Abstract: A method for automated return of an item, including the steps of: automatically identifying, with a processor and an interface element in a specially programmed general-purpose computer, an item brought within a predetermined proximity of a retail location operated by a business entity; determining, via the processor and a memory element in the general-purpose computer, that the item was previously purchased from the business entity by a customer; and applying, using the processor, a credit for the item to an account associated with the customer. In some aspects, the item comprises an RFID tag and the memory element comprises a sales record for the item including data regarding the tag, and automatically identifying an item includes automatically detecting the tag and transmitting data identifying the tag to the interface element, and determining that the item was previously purchased includes using the data identifying the tag to select the sales record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Michael R. Mueller, Andrew Van Luchene
  • Publication number: 20090119168
    Abstract: A system for providing an incentive based on the hardware used to place an order, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; and an offer element, in a processor for the general-purpose computer for: generating an offer to place an order with a business entity, the offer based upon a category for a hardware device or an identification of a hardware device; identifying, using the interface element, a hardware device included in the category or having the identification; and transmitting, using the interface element, the offer for display on the hardware device included in the category or having the identification. In one embodiment, the offer element is for generating an offer using at least one of a set of rules and a artificial intelligence program stored in a memory unit for the general-purpose computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: RetailDNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Andrew Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller, Michael R. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090030798
    Abstract: A system for generating an incentive for an end user to refer other end users, including: first and second offer elements, in a processor for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer. The first offer element: receives, using an interface element for the computer, a first order from an end user device, generates using the processor and a set of rules or an artificial intelligence program stored in a memory unit for the computer, a first offer in response to the first order, the offer conditional upon receipt of at least one email address; and transmits, using the interface element, the first offer. The second offer element receives, using the interface element, an address in response to the first offer; generates, using the processor, at least one second offer; and transmits, using the interface element, the at least one second offer to the at least one email address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: RetailDNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Andrew Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller, Michael R. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090030797
    Abstract: A system for generating and transmitting an ideal order offer, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; a memory unit for the computer; and an offer element, in a processor for the computer. The offer element is for: receiving, using the interface element, an order from a customer, the order including at least one item or at least one service offered by a business entity; generating at least one ideal order offer using at least one of a first set of rules and a first artificial intelligence program stored in a memory unit for the computer, the at least one ideal order offer including at least one item or service not included in the order or an incentive not associated with the order; and transmitting, using the interface element, the order and the at least one ideal order for presentation to the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: RetailDNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Andrew Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller, Michael R. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090024481
    Abstract: A system for generating a real time offer or a deferred offer, including: an interface element, for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer, arranged to receive an order from an end user device (EUD), the order including an first or service available from a business entity; and an offer element, in a processor for the computer, arranged to: generate, prior to fulfillment of the order by the business entity and using at least one of a first set of rules or a first artificial intelligence program stored in a memory unit for the computer, a first offer fulfillable as part of the order; and generate, prior to fulfillment of the order by the business entity and using the processor and at least one of a second set of rules or a second artificial intelligence program stored in the memory unit, a second offer fulfillable after fulfillment of the order by the business entity; and transmit, using the interface element, the first and second offers to the EUD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: RetailDNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Andrew Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller, Michael R. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080313122
    Abstract: A system for a system for generating and transmitting an offer to a wireless communications device (WCD) in response to an order, including: an interface element, for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer, arranged to receive an order from a WCD, the order including a first item or service available from a business entity; and an offer element, in a processor for the at least one specially programmed computer. The offer element is arranged to generate, using at least one of a set of rules or an artificial intelligence program stored in a memory unit for the at least one specially programmed computer, an offer in response to the order, the offer including a second item or service available from the business entity; and transmit, using the interface element, a completion message to a wireless communications network for transmission to the WCD, the completion message including the offer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: RetailDNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Andrew Van Luchene, Michael R. Mueller, Raymond J. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080313052
    Abstract: A system for managing an order received from a wireless communications device (WCD), including: an order element, in a processor in at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer, arranged to receive, via an interface element in the computer, a transmission, via a communication network, from the WCD, including an order for an item at a retail location; a location element, in the processor, to identify, using the interface element and the processor, that the WCD is within a predetermined location with respect to the location; a scheduling element, in the processor, to schedule preparation of the order in response to the predetermined location; an instruction element, in the processor, to generate at least one instruction for fulfilling the order and to transmit the instruction, using the interface element; and, a presentation element, at a point of sales (POS) station at the retail location, to receive and present the instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: RetailDNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Andrew Van Luchene, Michael R. Mueller, Raymond J. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080306886
    Abstract: A system for controlling a graphical user interface (GUI) for a point of sale device (POSD), including: a tracking element, in a processor for at least one specially-programmed computer, to track, using an interface element in the computer, respective responses, by end users, to a plurality of implementations of at least one input/output (I/O) function by respective GUIs for at least one first POSD; a comparison element, in the processor, to compare the respective responses with a performance parameter stored in a memory unit for the computer; and a configuration element, in the processor, to configure at least one second I/O function in accordance with the comparison of the respective responses with the performance parameter and arranged to transmit, using the interface element, the at least one second I/O function configuration to at least one second POSD for implementation by respective GUIs for the at least one second POSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: RetailDNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Andrew Van Luchene, Michael R. Mueller, Raymond J. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080306790
    Abstract: A system for generating and transmitting an order initiation offer to a wireless communications device (WCD), including: an identification element, in a processor of at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer, arranged to identify, using an interface element in the computer, a WCD; an eligibility element, in the processor, arranged to determine if the WCD is eligible to receive an order initiation offer; an executable element, in the processor, arrange to generate, using a set of rules or an artificial intelligence program, at least one executable, the rules and program stored in a memory for the computer; an offer element, in the processor, arranged to generate, for an eligible WCD and using the executable, an appropriate order initiation offer; and a transmission element, in the processor, arranged to transmit, using the interface element, the appropriate order initiation offer to a wireless communications network for transmission to the WCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: RetailDNA, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Andrew Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller, Michael R. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080255941
    Abstract: A system including: a memory element of a specially programmed general-purpose computer storing a set of rules; a generating element in a processor for the computer using at least one genetic algorithm to generate a plurality of executables; a selecting element in the processor using the set of rules to select an executable from the plurality of executables; and an interface element in the computer outputting the executable. A system including: a generating element in a processor for a specially programmed general-purpose computer arranged to generate a marketing offer using a set of rules and at least one genetic algorithm and an interface element in the computer arranged to output the marketing offer. In some aspects, the generating element is arranged to: generate, using the at least one genetic algorithm, a plurality of marketing offers; and select, using the rules, the marketing offer from the plurality of marketing offers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan Otto, Christine Amorossi, Michael R. Mueller, Andrew Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7389919
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for promoting multiple transactions at a retail establishment are provided. According to an aspect of the invention, products and processes are disclosed for receiving, via a point-of-sale terminal that is not a vending machine, an indication of a set of products which a customer desires to purchase. At least one product is offered to the customer via the point-of-sale terminal, and an acceptance of the offer is received. Thereafter a request to receive the product is received. A unit of the product is dispensed via the vending machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Jonathan Otto, Daniel E. Tedesco
  • Publication number: 20080071628
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, products and processes are disclosed for receiving, via a point-of-sale terminal that is not a vending machine, an indication of a set of products which a customer desires to purchase. At least one product is offered to the customer via the point-of-sale terminal, and an acceptance of the offer is received. Thereafter a request to receive the product is received. A unit of the product is dispensed via the vending machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Jay Walker, Jonathan Otto, Daniel Tedesco
  • Publication number: 20070156529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a customer to indicate his or her brand indifference within a product category, and then receive a benefit for purchasing a product chosen by a third party from within this product category. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in differentiating between brand-loyal or brand-sensitive customers and brand-indifferent customers, and allows manufacturers to price-discriminate between these two types of customers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Jay Walker, Andrew Van Luchene, Jonathan Otto, Magdalena Mik, Daniel Tedesco, Andrew Golden, Russell Sammon
  • Publication number: 20070150354
    Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a customer to indicate his or her brand indifference within a product category, and then receive a benefit for purchasing a product chosen by a third party from within this product category. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in differentiating between brand-loyal or brand-sensitive customers and brand-indifferent customers, and allows manufacturers to price-discriminate between these two types of customers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Jay Walker, Andrew Luchene, Jonathan Otto, Magdalena Mik, Daniel Tedesco, Andrew Golden, Russell Sammon
  • Publication number: 20070150378
    Abstract: In accordance with some described embodiments, methods and apparatus are provided for determining a food product and determining a price range defining a maximum price and a minimum price. An indication is stored that the food product may be offered, as a set of one or more food products, in exchange for a round-up amount associated with a purchase, if the round-up amount is in the price range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Jay Walker, Andrew Van Luchene, Jonathan Otto, Daniel Tedesco, Geoffrey Gelman
  • Patent number: 7184990
    Abstract: An automated kitchen apparatus determines a time until expiration of a food product. In one embodiment, the kitchen apparatus determines the time until expiration by receiving a start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell. Such a start signal may be generated by a timer on a warming bin that is initiated when a food product is placed in the warming bin. By measuring the elapsed time since the start signal was received, the time until expiration is determined. Based on the time until expiration, the automated kitchen apparatus sets the minimum price of that food product. Customers at a POS terminal may then purchase the aged food product for the minimum price. In one embodiment, an offer describing the food product and its minimum price is displayed on the POS terminal. In another embodiment, the customer is offered the food product for his change due, if that change due is not less than the minimum price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Andrew S. Van Luchene, Jonathan Otto, Daniel E. Tedesco, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Publication number: 20060119028
    Abstract: A transport mechanism is disclosed for handling and manipulating flat objects such as carton blanks through an intermediate processing step such as the application of adhesive to end tabs prior to die and plunger carton formation. Specifically, the invention enables a blank to be picked from a magazine, run past an adhesive application system at a fixed, constant distance and speed, and deposited in place for a carton forming step using a single mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: Doboy, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Koehler, Jonathan Otto
  • Publication number: 20050098625
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, products and processes are disclosed for receiving, via a point-of-sale terminal that is not a vending machine, an indication of a set of products which a customer desires to purchase. At least one product is offered to the customer via the point-of-sale terminal, and an acceptance of the offer is received. Thereafter a request to receive the product is received. A unit of the product is dispensed via the vending machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Jay Walker, Jonathan Otto, Daniel Tedesco
  • Publication number: 20020178071
    Abstract: Settlement systems and methods are provided wherein a buyer takes possession of a product at a retailer. In one embodiment, a purchasing system arranges through a communication network for a buyer to purchase a product from a seller at a first price. The purchasing system also arranges for the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer that offers the product for sale at a second price. Payment of an amount based on the first price is received from the buyer, and the purchasing system arranges for the retailer to receive payment of an amount based on a settlement price in exchange for providing the product to the buyer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: DEAN P.ALDERUCCII
    Inventors: JAY S. WALKER, JONATHAN OTTO, ANDREW S. VAN LUCHENE, MAGDALENA MIK, DANIEL E. TEDESCO, IAN LEVITAN