Patents by Inventor Stuart Argue

Stuart Argue 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).

  • Patent number: 8620755
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for auditing in-store sales transactions when a digital receipt is issued. A receipt application server formulates a digital receipt from digital receipt data received from a POS system. The digital receipt is sent from the receipt application server to an auditor mobile device at the location of the POS system. A human auditor can view the digital receipt during an in-store audit. In some embodiments, one or both of the receipt application server and the auditor mobile device reorder receipt entries so that items having specified characteristics are presented more prominently on a display. For example, receipt entries can be re-ordered such that higher profit margin items, bulkier items, or more likely to be stolen items are presented more prominently. As such, a human auditor is more likely to expressly audit these types of items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Argue, Anthony Emile Marcar
  • Publication number: 20130341417
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for embedding an image during a transaction at a point-of-sale system. The method may include obtaining a first digital image coded to display a call to action and a placeholder occupying a specific position with respect to the call to action. A computer system associated with the point-of-sale system may interpret the first digital image to collect data identifying the specific position of the placeholder. The computer system may obtain a two-dimensional barcode encoded with a transaction identification unique to the transaction. Using the collected data, the computer system may generate a third digital image coded to display the call to action and the two-dimensional barcode. The two-dimensional barcode may occupy the specific position with respect to the call to action. The point-of-sale system may display the third digital image to a customer associated with the transaction via a receipt, a customer-facing screen, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Argue, Anthony Emile Marcar
  • Publication number: 20130327839
    Abstract: A method for printing an image on a receipt is disclosed. The method may begin with the initiation of a transaction such as a purchase or return at a point-of-sale system. Next, an image unique to the transaction may be obtained or generate. The image may comprise non-textual graphics. While the transaction is being performed, the image may be passed to a receipt printer and stored with memory thereof. Accordingly, the images may be stored in memory of the receipt printer before the other tasks associated with the transaction have all been performed. Finally, to complete and document the transaction, the receipt printer may print a receipt. The receipt may have the image printed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Argue, Anthony Emile Marcar
  • Patent number: 8447654
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a customer's proximity to a checkout register at a store. A mobile electronic device with mobile self-checkout software thereon may record and analyze ambient noise to determine when a customer is in a checkout line as well as to track the customer's progress through the checkout line. The mobile self-checkout software may present information to the customer according to the customer's position in the checkout line. The type and nature of the information presented to the customer may be changed according to the customer's distance from the checkout terminal as well as how quickly the customer is approaching the terminal. The software may provide detailed data about the shopping and checkout experience. This information may be correlated to customer satisfaction and used identify particular strengths and weaknesses in the shopping experience offered by a store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Argue, Anthony Emile Marcar
  • Patent number: 8434682
    Abstract: A method for printing an image on a receipt is disclosed. The method may begin with the initiation of a transaction such as a purchase or return at a point-of-sale system. Next, an image unique to the transaction may be obtained or generate. The image may comprise non-textual graphics. While the transaction is being performed, the image may be passed to a receipt printer and stored with memory thereof. Accordingly, the images may be stored in memory of the receipt printer before the other tasks associated with the transaction have all been performed. Finally, to complete and document the transaction, the receipt printer may print a receipt. The receipt may have the image printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Argue, Anthony Emile Marcar