Patents by Inventor Mark Cummins
Mark Cummins 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).
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Publication number: 20230259912Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method and a hardware and software system for collecting data from retail point of sale. The hardware connects to a wide variety of barcode scanners and receipt printers. Collected data is transmitted to a cloud-based infrastructure backend system using a wireless internet connection built into the hardware. The collected data can be processed to extract item-level transaction information, and estimate the price and in-stock status of items in particular shops. A search engine can be provided using this data, which allows a customer to discover which nearby shop has an item of interest in stock. A targeted advertising system that complements this search service is also presented. The data can be used by retailers and manufacturers for business analysis and optimization.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Mark Cummins, Ian Cummins
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Patent number: 11663572Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method and a hardware and software system for collecting data from retail point of sale. The hardware connects to a wide variety of barcode scanners and receipt printers. Collected data is transmitted to a cloud-based infrastructure backend system using a wireless internet connection built into the hardware. The collected data can be processed to extract item-level transaction information, and estimate the price and in-stock status of items in particular shops. A search engine can be provided using this data, which allows a customer to discover which nearby shop has an item of interest in stock. A targeted advertising system that complements this search service is also presented. The data can be used by retailers and manufacturers for business analysis and optimization.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: Mark Cummins, Ian Cummins
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Patent number: 8661053Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling virtual tags is described. The method may include receiving a first digital image data and virtual tag data to be associated with a real-world object in the first digital image data, wherein the first digital image data is captured by a first mobile device, and the virtual tag data includes metadata received from a user of the first mobile device. The method may also include generating a first digital signature from the first digital image data that describes the real-world object, and in response to the generation, inserting in substantially real-time the first digital signature into a searchable index of digital images. The method may also include storing, in a tag database, the virtual tag data and an association between the virtual tag data and the first digital signature inserted into the index of digital images.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: John Flynn, Dragomir Anguelov, Hartmut Neven, Mark Cummins, James Philbin, Rafael Spring, Hartwig Adam, Anand Pillai
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Publication number: 20130066878Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling virtual tags is described. The method may include receiving a first digital image data and virtual tag data to be associated with a real-world object in the first digital image data, wherein the first digital image data is captured by a first mobile device, and the virtual tag data includes metadata received from a user of the first mobile device. The method may also include generating a first digital signature from the first digital image data that describes the real-world object, and in response to the generation, inserting in substantially real-time the first digital signature into a searchable index of digital images. The method may also include storing, in a tag database, the virtual tag data and an association between the virtual tag data and the first digital signature inserted into the index of digital images.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: John Flynn, Dragomir Anguelov, Hartmut Neven, Mark Cummins, James Philbin, Rafel Spring, Hartwig Adam, Anand Pillai
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Patent number: 8332424Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling virtual tags is described. The method may include receiving a first digital image data and virtual tag data to be associated with a real-world object in the first digital image data, wherein the first digital image data is captured by a first mobile device, and the virtual tag data includes metadata received from a user of the first mobile device. The method may also include generating a first digital signature from the first digital image data that describes the real-world object, and in response to the generation, inserting in substantially real-time the first digital signature into a searchable index of digital images. The method may also include storing, in a tag database, the virtual tag data and an association between the virtual tag data and the first digital signature inserted into the index of digital images.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: John Flynn, Dragomir Anguelov, Hartmut Neven, Mark Cummins, James Philbin, Rafael Spring, Hartwig Adam, Anand Pillai
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Publication number: 20120290591Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling virtual tags is described. The method may include receiving a first digital image data and virtual tag data to be associated with a real-world object in the first digital image data, wherein the first digital image data is captured by a first mobile device, and the virtual tag data includes metadata received from a user of the first mobile device. The method may also include generating a first digital signature from the first digital image data that describes the real-world object, and in response to the generation, inserting in substantially real-time the first digital signature into a searchable index of digital images. The method may also include storing, in a tag database, the virtual tag data and an association between the virtual tag data and the first digital signature inserted into the index of digital images.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: John Flynn, Dragomir Anguelov, Hartmut Neven, Mark Cummins, James Philbin, Rafael Spring, Hartwig Adam, Anand Pillai
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Publication number: 20100044058Abstract: A firefighting device adapted to discharge a fluid to put out a fire may include a hose connected to a source of the fluid, including: a collapsible section connected to the source of the fluid; and a non-collapsible section connected to the collapsible section adapted to discharge the fluid. The non-collapsible section may be connected to a valve to turn off and turn on the fluid, and the valve may be a break apart nozzle. The fluid may be a foam agent, and the source may be a fire engine truck. The length of the non-collapsible section maybe substantially between 2 feet and 10 feet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Mark A. Cummins, Lisa Yvette Lafosse
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Patent number: 4457375Abstract: A foam generating apparatus (10) is provided for circulation of foam within a well (12) for drilling, operation or clean out. A liquid foam generating solution (38) is pressurized by a pump (48). The solution flows through a passage in a mixing tee (66). The mixing tee has a second passage which permits a pressurized gaseous aeration agent (35) to be entrained within the fluid flow. The turbulence of flow and downstream pressures permit onset of foam generation within the well. The foam consistency can be controlled by varying the pressure of the aeration agent and foam generating solution to maximize the effectiveness of the circulation. The ratio of aeration agent and fluid generating solution can also be varied.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1982Date of Patent: July 3, 1984Inventor: Mark A. Cummins
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Patent number: 4318443Abstract: An apparatus (10) for generating and discharging foam is provided. Apparatus (10) includes a container (12) for receiving and storing a foam generating solution (24). A discharge tube (66) is connected to container (12). An ejector tube (32) is disposed within container (12) for discharging the foam generating solution (24) to the discharge tube (66). Foam generating structure (34) is disposed between the ejector tube (32) and the discharge tube (66) exterior of the container (12) and includes a chamber (74) communicating with ejector tube (32) for permitting the passage of the foam generating solution (24) therethrough to the discharge tube (66). A pressure source (52) communicates with the container (12) for forcing the foam generating solution (24) through the ejector tube (32) and the foam generating structure (34). The pressure source (52) further communicates with the chamber (74) for aerating the foam generating solution (24) prior to flowing through the discharge tube (66).Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1980Date of Patent: March 9, 1982Inventor: Mark A. Cummins