Patents by Inventor Michael Wells White
Michael Wells White 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: 10268999Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Lang Mocko, Koun Han, Hsuan-Yu (Jerry) Lin, Michael Wells White
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Publication number: 20190095894Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction in which one or more devices operate in an offline mode. The payment handling system may allow for merchant devices to make modifications to local versions of an open ticket while in an off-line mode. When a merchant device subsequently enters an online mode, the systems and techniques may operate to reconcile differences between the local versions of the open ticket.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
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Patent number: 10217110Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for providing payment protection to merchants who utilize point-of-sale (POS) devices that are configured to conduct transactions in both online and offline modes. In an offline mode, a POS device of a merchant stores information regarding a payment instrument used in a transaction between the merchant and a customer, for later sending of the information to a payment service for authorization of the payment instrument when the POS device is in the online mode. The described techniques protect the merchant in a situation where a payment instrument used in an offline transaction is later declined, by providing payment to the merchant for at least a portion of the cost associated with the transaction.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Grace Huey Chen, Christopher Lang Mocko, Michael Wells White
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Patent number: 10163107Abstract: In some examples, methods and systems may institute technical fallback by determining, by a payment processing system, and based on analysis of the communication status indicator and the data obtained when a magnetic stripe of the payment object is introduced in magnetic stripe object reader, whether the payment object was swiped while an EMV object reader was communicatively coupled to the POS terminal. If the magnetic stripe of the payment object was swiped while the EMV object reader was connected to the POS terminal, the payment processing system extracts a transaction count indicating a number of times the customer has attempted to insert a chip of the payment object into the EMV object reader prior to swiping magstripe. By comparing the transaction count with a threshold count, the payment processing system authorizes the payment transaction as a technical fallback transaction if the transaction count is greater than the threshold count.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Michael Wells White, Jason Holmes, Martin Mroz, David Terra, Charles Nicholson
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Publication number: 20180357627Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for transitioning point-of-sale (POS) devices between online and offline modes. In some instances, the techniques instruct a POS device to transition from an online mode to an offline mode based on a volume of transactions on the POS device within a certain time period, based on an increase in the rate of transactions occurring on the POS device, or based on anticipating a rise in the number of transactions on the POS device for other reasons.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Grace Huey Chen, Christopher Lang Mocko, Michael Wells White
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Patent number: 10147079Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction in which one or more devices operate in an offline mode. The payment handling system may allow for merchant devices to make modifications to local versions of an open ticket while in an off-line mode. When a merchant device subsequently enters an online mode, the systems and techniques may operate to reconcile differences between the local versions of the open ticket.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
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Publication number: 20180341933Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of an open ticket transaction in which incremental authorization operations are performed. The payment handling system may receive items to add to the open ticket, payment instruments for paying the cost of the open ticket or adjustments to any bill splitting arrangement throughout the life of the open ticket. As items are added, payment instruments are received, and/or adjustments are input, the amount allocated to the one or more payments instruments may be updated. Incremental authorization values may be determined for some or all of the payment instruments. When the amount allocated to a payment instrument exceeds the incremental authorization value, an authorization of the instrument is attempted and a new authorization value is determined. At the end of the interaction, the open ticket is closed and payment is executed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
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Patent number: 10121136Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Lang Mocko, Koun Han, Hsuan-Yu (Jerry) Lin, Michael Wells White
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Patent number: 10055722Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for transitioning point-of-sale (POS) devices between online and offline modes. In some instances, the techniques instruct a POS device to transition from an online mode to an offline mode based on a volume of transactions on the POS device within a certain time period, based on an increase in the rate of transactions occurring on the POS device, or based on anticipating a rise in the number of transactions on the POS device for other reasons.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Grace Huey Chen, Christopher Lang Mocko, Michael Wells White
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Patent number: 10055721Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for replicating behavior of a point-of-sale (POS) device operating in an offline mode with behavior of the POS device operating in an online mode. For instance, the techniques may insert an artificial delay into an offline transaction, thus causing an end-to-end processing time of an offline transaction to more closely match an end-to-end processing time of an online transaction.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Lang Mocko, Michael Wells White
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Patent number: 10043162Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of an open ticket transaction in which incremental authorization operations are performed. The payment handling system may receive items to add to the open ticket, payment instruments for paying the cost of the open ticket or adjustments to any bill splitting arrangement throughout the life of the open ticket. As items are added, payment instruments are received, and/or adjustments are input, the amount allocated to the one or more payments instruments may be updated. Incremental authorization values may be determined for some or all of the payment instruments. When the amount allocated to a payment instrument exceeds the incremental authorization value, an authorization of the instrument is attempted and a new authorization value is determined. At the end of the interaction, the open ticket is closed and payment is executed.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
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Publication number: 20180150818Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Christopher Lang Mocko, Koun Han, Hsuan-Yu (Jerry) Lin, Michael Wells White
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Publication number: 20180150815Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Christopher Lang Mocko, Koun Han, Hsuan-Yu (Jerry) Lin, Michael Wells White
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Patent number: 9881302Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for capturing payments in cases involving a failed authorization. In some instances, a point-of-sale (POS) device may process a transaction while operating in an offline mode, and then send information regarding the transaction to a remote service after transitioning to an online mode. The remote service may attempt to authorize a payment instrument tendered to satisfy a cost of the transaction. In instances in which the payment instrument is declined, one or multiple payment-capture techniques may be utilized to capture a payment that satisfies at least a portion of the cost of the transaction.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Michael Wells White, Paul Botros, Christopher Lang Mocko, Zhimin Ren, Jianliang Zhao
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Patent number: 9864986Abstract: Methods and apparatuses related to linking a monetary value card with a payment card. In some embodiments, a payer uses a gift card to pay for a purchase. The gift card is swiped by a point of sale (POS) system, and a computer system processes a payment. The computer system causes the POS system to display a message prompting the payer to provide an email address for an electronic receipt. The payer provides the email address, which the computer system uses to determine that the payer has a payment card. The computer system sends a message to the payer asking if he would like to link the gift card with the payment card, to which the payer responds affirmatively. The payer later uses the payment card to initiate a payment, and the computer system processes the payment based on the gift card that is linked with the payment card.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Michael Wells White, Jianliang Zhao, Christopher Lang Mocko, Zhimin Ren
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Publication number: 20180005223Abstract: A payment terminal includes multiple chips that perform different processing functions within the payment terminal. A terminal chip performs general functionality of the payment terminal while a transaction chip communicates with payment devices such as chip cards and NFC payment devices and processes payment information. The transaction chip may operate in a low power during which communications and processing are limited, and a transaction processing mode in which transactions may be processed. The transaction chip may transfer between these modes based on wake-up messages provided by other devices or circuitry of the payment terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Square, Inc.Inventors: David Terra, Koun Han, Michael Wells White, Michael Dahn
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Publication number: 20180005226Abstract: A payment terminal may receive a request to process electronic payment information from a payment card in a swipe mode. The payment terminal may provide an opt-in request. If a user accepts, the payment terminal may receive a payment transaction request and electronic payment information of a swipe payment type from the payment card at a swipe interface. The payment terminal may determine whether the payment card is a chip card and generate a swipe mode processing indicator. The swipe mode indicator may allow processing of electronic payment information using procedures for the swipe payment type. The payment terminal may transmit the swipe mode processing indicator and electronic payment information to a payment server from a communication interface of the payment terminal, and may receive a payment approval response based on the swipe mode processing indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Square, Inc.Inventors: David Terra, Koun Han, Michael Wells White
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Publication number: 20180005237Abstract: A payment terminal may run a point-of-sale application that is operated by a user such as a merchant. At a certain point in the transaction, but prior to the completion of the transaction, pre-charge requests may be sent to a chip card. The responses from the chip card may be stored such that the transaction may be completed immediately after the merchant and customer complete the transaction steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Square, Inc.Inventors: David Terra, Koun Han, Michael Wells White
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Patent number: 9836732Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction. The payment handling system may receive first information associated with a first payment instrument, receive second information associated with a second payment instrument, and cause a display to update the UI to indicate that an unallocated portion of the cost of the transaction is to be approximately split between the first payment instrument and the second payment instrument.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Lang Mocko, Michael Wells White, John LaBanca, Jr., Bruce Bell, Jared Travis Marr
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Patent number: 9785930Abstract: A payment terminal may receive a request to process electronic payment information from a chip card in an expedited processing mode. The payment terminal may provide an opt-in request. If a user accepts, the payment terminal may receive a request for payment and request an electronic payment response from the chip card. The payment terminal may receive the electronic payment response from the chip card and store it in memory at the payment terminal. The payment terminal may approve the payment transaction associated with the electronic payment response, allowing the chip card to be removed from the payment terminal. The payment terminal may process additional requests for payment and associate payment-type and time indicators with each electronic payment response. The payment terminal may transmit approval requests to one or more payment servers when the terminal determines they may be transmitted, and, for each request, receive a payment approval response.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Square, Inc.Inventors: David Terra, Koun Han, Michael Wells White