Patents by Inventor Timothy C. Nichols

Timothy C. Nichols 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: 20150287279
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for a chance based loyalty program using an interactive game. A user may purchase items at a merchant that generate a transaction history. The user may be provided credits to a game of chance based on the transaction history and loyalty account. By playing the chance game, the user may win purchase credits with the merchant, such as discounts, free items, or rebates. The odds to win the chance game may be specific to the user and set by the merchant. The odds may also be recalculated to enforce the odds set by the merchant. By playing the chance game, the user may be added to a leaderboard that compares the user to other users based on their respective purchases and loyalty accounts. Winnings and/or number of credits provided to the user may depend on the user's ranking on the leaderboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy C. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9061039
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme COX-2. The method is comprised of administering a composition containing a Free-B-Ring flavonoid or a composition containing a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids to a host in need thereof. The present also includes novel methods for the prevention and treatment of COX-2 mediated diseases and conditions. The method for preventing and treating COX-2 mediated diseases and conditions is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof an effective amount of a composition containing a Free-B-Ring flavonoid or a composition containing a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Unigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Jia, Timothy C. Nichols, Eric E. Rhoden, Scott Waite
  • Patent number: 9043270
    Abstract: Discovering content on a device. Content stored on a device can be examined or searched based on the programming of channels that are available to the device. The content can be searched using other rules related to user preferences. Based on the results of the examination of the content, playlists are generated. Each playlist includes content from the device that matches or partially matches the content associated with one of the channels. Using the playlists, a user can load content from their device that has a theme consistent with a particular channel. The playlists can also be used to tune to the channels associated with the playlists and thereby discover the content on those channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Nichols, Mark Andrew Ross, Clare Lawson, Arthur Anthonie van Hoff
  • Publication number: 20150066746
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a payment application personalized for a merchant physical location include receiving a first customer location from a first customer device that is running a payment application. A first merchant physical location is then determined to be associated with the first customer location and, in response, first merchant physical location personalization information is retrieved. The first merchant physical location personalization information is then provided for display as a user interface on at least one personalized merchant physical location screen that is provided on the first customer device using the payment application. The at least one personalized merchant physical location screen is configured to send an instruction to the payment application provider device to make a payment from a first customer account associated with the first customer to a first merchant account associated with the first merchant physical location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy C. Nichols, Geoffrey W. Chatterton, David Good, Ramaneek Khanna
  • Publication number: 20150066762
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing authentication include receiving an authentication passcode input through an input device of a user device from a first user. The first user is authenticated in response to the authentication passcode input matching at least one user authentication passcode in a database, and an authentication time period is associated with the authentication of the first user and allows the first user access to at least one application on the user device. A plurality of authentication factors are then detected using the user device, and plurality of authentication factors are not an authentication passcode input received through the input device. The plurality of authentication factors are then determined to match the at least one authentication profile in the database and, in response, the authentication time period is extended such that the first user is allowed continued access to the at least one application on the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Chatterton, Ramaneek Khanna, Timothy C. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20150067320
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for detecting or recognizing a user and intelligently altering or adjusting user device settings appropriate for the detected user. In an embodiment, a method comprises detecting, electronically by a processor, a first user interacting with a user device via a user input interface of the user device; determining, electronically by the processor, one or more characteristics associated with a primary user of the user device; determining, electronically by the processor, the first user is not the primary user based at least in part on comparing interactions of the first user with the user device and the one or more characteristics associated with the primary user of the user device; and altering one or more settings of the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Chatterton, Ramaneek Khanna, Timothy C. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20150066671
    Abstract: A point of sale (POS) security system includes a POS device including a non-transitory memory, one or more hardware processors, and one or more environment sensors. A plurality of POS instructions are located on the non-transitory memory in the POS device and executable by the one or more hardware processors in the POS device to provide a POS engine that is configured to receive and transmit payment information for conducting a payment transaction associated with a purchase. A plurality of security instructions are located on the non-transitory memory in the POS device and are executable by the one or more hardware processors in the POS device to provide a security engine that is configured to receive environment signals from the one or more environment sensors in the POS device and analyze those environment signals to determine a security breach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy C. Nichols, Ramaneek Khanna, Geoffrey W. Chatterton
  • Publication number: 20150067824
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating a user include a wearable user device receiving a first request to access a secure system. A plurality of authentication elements are then displayed on a display device to a user eye in a first authentication orientation about a perimeter of an authentication element input area. A user hand located opposite the display device from the user eye is then detected selecting a sequence of the plurality of authentication elements. For each selected authentication element in the sequence, the wearable user device moves the selected authentication element based on a detected movement of the user hand and records the selected authentication element as a portion of an authentication input in response to the user hand moving the selected authentication element to the authentication element input area. The user is authenticated for the secure system if the authentication input matches stored user authentication information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Chatterton, Robert Michael Voytovich, JR., Ramaneek Khanna, Timothy C. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20150058870
    Abstract: A purchase code, such as a web address indicating a webpage of a product at a merchant's website, may be embedded into a video advertisement by steganography. The video advertisement embedding the purchase code may be displayed to consumers on televisions or on display kiosks installed at a merchant's storefront. A consumer, who is viewing the video advertisement and is interested in purchasing the product being advertised, may point a mobile device with a camera, e.g., a smart phone, to scan the video advertisement with the camera. The mobile device may decode the video advertisement to capture the purchase code embedded in the video advertisement. The purchase code may automatically direct the mobile device to visit the product web page at the merchant's web site. Thus, the consumer may purchase the product immediately at the merchant's web site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ramaneek Khanna, Geoffrey W. Chatterton, Timothy C. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20140379759
    Abstract: Discovering content on a device. Content stored on a device can be examined or searched based on the programming of channels that are available to the device. The content can be searched using other rules related to user preferences. Based on the results of the examination of the content, playlists are generated. Each playlist includes content from the device that matches or partially matches the content associated with one of the channels. Using the playlists, a user can load content from their device that has a theme consistent with a particular channel. The playlists can also be used to tune to the channels associated with the playlists and thereby discover the content on those channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy C. Nichols, Mark Andrew Ross, Clare Lawson, Arthur Anthonie van Hoff
  • Patent number: 8869186
    Abstract: Automated acquisition of content including digital media for a device. A device such as a satellite radio can discover content from multiple data stream sources. The device then receives input from a user selecting or identifying specific content to acquire. The device, upon detecting an appropriate network that enables the device to communicate with a remote service or media repository, requests the content using a portion of the specific content such as metadata. The device then receives the content from the service or from the media repository. Often the received content is a higher quality version of the content whereas the portion of the content stored by the device may be lower quality. The user is notified after the content has been acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy Bucher, Mark A. Ross, Timothy C. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8868547
    Abstract: Discovering content on a device. Content stored on a device can be examined or searched based on the programming of channels that are available to the device. The content can be searched using other rules related to user preferences. Based on the results of the examination of the content, playlists are generated. Each playlist includes content from the device that matches or partially matches the content associated with one of the channels. Using the playlists, a user can load content from their device that has a theme consistent with a particular channel. The playlists can also be used to tune to the channels associated with the playlists and thereby discover the content on those channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Nichols, Mark Andrew Ross, Clare Lawson, Arthur Anthonie van Hoff
  • Publication number: 20140088183
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for alleviating inflammatory-associated diseases and conditions. These methods include administering individual and/or a mixture of multiple flavans isolated from a single or multiple Acacia genus of plants. The present disclosure also includes methods for isolating and purifying from an Acacia genus of plants a composition of flavans having dual specificity for cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzymes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Unigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Jia, Timothy C. Nichols, Eric E. Rhoden, Scott Waite
  • Publication number: 20140080774
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme COX-2. The method is comprised of administering a composition containing a Free-B-Ring flavonoid or a composition containing a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids to a host in need thereof. The present also includes novel methods for the prevention and treatment of COX-2 mediated diseases and conditions. The method for preventing and treating COX-2 mediated diseases and conditions is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof an effective amount of a composition containing a Free-B-Ring flavonoid or a composition containing a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Unigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Jia, Timothy C. Nichols, Eric E. Rhoden, Scott Waite
  • Publication number: 20140065120
    Abstract: Fixed-dried blood cells carrying an active agent are described, along with methods of making the same, methods of using the same, and compositions containing the same. The blood cells are preferably blood platelets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy C. Nichols, Thomas Fischer, Marjorie S. Read
  • Patent number: 8568799
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for alleviating inflammatory-associated diseases and conditions. These methods include administering individual and/or a mixture of multiple flavans isolated from a single or multiple Acacia genus of plants. The present disclosure also includes methods for isolating and purifying from an Acacia genus of plants a composition of flavans having dual specificity for cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Unigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Jia, Timothy C. Nichols, Eric E. Rhoden, Scott Waite
  • Patent number: 8572304
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for configuring mobile communication devices to identify and communicate with wireless printing devices. These systems and methods may include determining available wireless printing devices, selecting a desired wireless printing device, attempting to establish communication between the mobile communication device and the wireless printing device using a first communication protocol, prompting a user to indicate the successfulness of the first communication protocol, and configuring the mobile communication device for printing to the wireless printing device using the first communication protocol if the first communication protocol successfully communicated with the wireless printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Wellala, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Nichols, Geoffrey W. Chatterton, Ramaneek Khanna, Eric D. Bauswell, Anthony R. Chvala
  • Patent number: 8535735
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme COX-2. The method is comprised of administering a composition containing a Free-B-Ring flavonoid or a composition containing a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids to a host in need thereof. The present also includes novel methods for the prevention and treatment of COX-2 mediated diseases and conditions. The method for preventing and treating COX-2 mediated diseases and conditions is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof an effective amount of a composition containing a Free-B-Ring flavonoid or a composition containing a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Unigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Jia, Timothy C. Nichols, Eric E. Rhoden, Scott Waite
  • Patent number: 8512697
    Abstract: The invention is directed to platelets containing micron or nanometer size particles wherein the micron or nanometer sized particles comprises an active agent. The invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and the above platelets. The invention is further directed to methods of delivering the micron or nanometer size particles containing an active agent to a site of interest in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Thomas H. Fischer, E. Stan Eskridge, Jr., Timothy C. Nichols, Caterina Maria Gallippi
  • Patent number: 8492081
    Abstract: Fixed-dried blood cells carrying an active agent are described, along with methods of making the same, methods of using the same, and compositions containing the same. The blood cells are preferably blood platelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Timothy C. Nichols, Thomas Fischer, Marjorie S. Read