Patents by Inventor Michael J. Kieffer
Michael J. Kieffer 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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Patent number: 8322614Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod
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Publication number: 20110276422Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal(i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, JR., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod
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Patent number: 8002182Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Thomas J. Brace, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems, Ronald C. Wurz
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Publication number: 20090188975Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Inventors: James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, JR., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod
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Patent number: 6857568Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod
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Publication number: 20040211833Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod
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Patent number: 6750777Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Thomas J. Brace, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems, Ronald C. Wurz
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Publication number: 20030083899Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems
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Patent number: 6549141Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal(i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod
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Patent number: 6542070Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transaction related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Michael J. Kieffer, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems
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Patent number: 6464138Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Thomas J. Brace, Michael J. Kieffer, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod
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Patent number: 6369709Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1998Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Thomas J. Brace, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Jr., Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems, Ronald C. Wurz
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Publication number: 20020017564Abstract: A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal(i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Roger D. Larson, James E. Fergen, John E. Nelson, Thomas J. Brace, Michael J. Kieffer, John D. Yorkovich, Gerald L. Karel, Gerald G. Marsolek, Joseph E. Schwietz, Mitchell B. Grunes, Kathleen M. McLeod, Richard M. Willems, Ronald C. Wurz
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Patent number: 6057763Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for activating and deactivating an electronic article surveillance marker carried by an article. The apparatus includes a housing having a platform for supporting the article. The apparatus also includes a first magnet positioned within the housing adapted for producing a magnetic field of sufficient strength to deactivate the marker. Additionally, the apparatus includes a translating mechanism for translating the first magnet between first and second positions along the platform. The electronic article surveillance marker is deactivated by placing the article onto the platform and translating the first magnet between the first and second positions. The first magnet can also be part of an alternating decaying array of magnets adapted for either activating or deactivating the electronic surveillance marker.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Brace, James E. Fergen, Michael J. Kieffer, Kathleen M. McLeod, Peter J. Zarembo