Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090088023 | Locking Receptacle For Engaging A USB Device - A locking receptacle for engaging a USB device is provided. The locking receptacle comprising a four sided header with a top opening at the top of the header and a bottom opening at the bottom of the header, the top opening and the bottom opening for USB connections; the header connected to a pivotable locking tip on one side, the pivotable locking tip located to engage a standard opening on a side of a USB plug of a USB device when the USB plug is fully inserted in the locking receptacle; and the pivotable locking tip connected to a lever for pivoting the locking tip. | 04-02-2009 |
20090103967 | PEN RETENTION APPARATUS - A pen retention bracket for releasably securing a pen tether retracting reel therein is disclosed. The pen retention bracket includes four surfaces that define a rectangular cavity having four sides and a top opening and a bottom opening. A first protrusion and a second protrusion are disposed upon a first surface and extend from the first surface toward a second surface, a distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion greater than a height of the pen tether retracting reel. The first surface is responsive to an application of force to the pen tether retracting reel to elastically deform and increase a depth between the second surface and at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion, thereby releasing the pen tether retracting reel via either of the top opening and the bottom opening. | 04-23-2009 |
20090123214 | PEN RETENTION APPARATUS - A pen retention device for releasably securing a pen to a tether is disclosed. The device includes a pen having an end, a collar defining an internal cavity surrounding the end and an orifice having a diameter, an elastic retainer disposed within the internal cavity, and an anvil securedly attached to the tether. An outer surface of the elastic retainer defines an internal dimension and an external dimension of the elastic retainer, the external dimension greater than the diameter of the orifice such that the internal cavity retains the elastic retainer. The anvil includes an angled retention surface having an external diameter greater than the internal dimension of the elastic retainer and less than the diameter of the orifice. | 05-14-2009 |
20090123215 | PEN RETENTION APPARATUS - A pen retention device for releasably securing a pen to a tether is disclosed. The device includes the pen having an end and an annular interior surface defining a bore, a cap comprising an expandable retention interface disposed within the bore proximate the end, and an anvil securedly attached to the tether. The expandable retention interface includes a radially outwardly directed surface in contact with the annular interior surface. The expanding retention interface further includes a radially inwardly directed surface in operable communication with the anvil. The expanding retention interface is responsive to an application of force less than a release force by the tether via the anvil to expand and secure cap to the pen, and is responsive to an application of force greater than the release force to release the cap from the pen. | 05-14-2009 |
20090123216 | PEN RETENTION APPARATUS - A pen retention device for releasably securing a pen to a tether is disclosed. The device includes the pen having an end and an annular interior surface defining a bore, a cap comprising an expandable retention interface disposed within the bore proximate the end, and an anvil securedly attached to the tether. The expandable retention interface includes a radially outwardly directed surface in contact with the annular interior surface. The expanding retention interface further includes a radially inwardly directed surface in operable communication with the anvil. The expanding retention interface is responsive to an application of force less than a release force by the tether via the anvil to expand and secure cap to the pen, and is responsive to an application of force greater than the release force to release the cap from the pen. | 05-14-2009 |
20090152795 | COMPACT LOW PAPER SENSOR MECHANISM - A low paper sensor mechanism including first and second support rollers rotatable about a first and second rotational axis to support a paper supply roll, the first and second support rollers and rotational axes configured to translate in a path between a first position and a second position, first and second biasing members biasing the first and second support rollers toward the second position and a detection device, including a light emitting element and a light detecting element, disposed adjacent to the first and second support rollers, wherein the first and second support rollers move from the first position to the second position when a diameter of the paper supply roll is less than or equal to the predetermined distance between the first and second support rollers and the paper supply roll disrupts a line of sight between the light emitting element and the light detecting element. | 06-18-2009 |
20090211875 | LATCHING AND SECURING MECHANISM FOR BILL PRESENTER OF A CURRENCY DISPENSING MACHINE - A currency dispensing machine including a cabinet and a bill presenter located therein. The bill presenter includes a presenter having two side plates and at least one drive gear having a plurality of drive teeth. The bill presenter is located in a bill presenter housing having a mounting face, two retention plates extending from the mounting face and receivable of the presenter therebetween, and a longitudinally extending retention hook disposed in each of the two side plates. Two retaining pins are each insertable through one of the two retention hooks and through one of the retention plates. Two latch arms are slidably located in the bill presenter, each at one of the retention plates, and include a latch hook engageable with one of the retaining pins. The currency dispensing machine includes a bill dispenser slidably disposed in the cabinet and including a plurality of gear teeth engageable with the plurality of drive teeth and at least one locking slot-. At least one locking pin is insertable into one of the at least one locking slot for preventing misalignment of the plurality of gear teeth with the plurality of drive teeth. | 08-27-2009 |
20090308967 | MULTIPLE ATTITUDE LOW PAPER SENSOR MECHANISM - A method for sensing low paper in a printer includes supporting a paper supply roll via at least one of two paper supports. Each paper support includes a fixed roller rotatable about a fixed roller axis and a movable roller pivotable about the fixed roller axis from a start position to an end position. The movable roller is moved from the start position toward the end position as a diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than or equal to a predetermined distance. The paper supply roll falls between the fixed roller and the movable roller when the diameter of the paper supply roll decreases to less than the predetermined distance and exerts a force on a paddle of a detection device thereby restoring a line of sight of the detection device. | 12-17-2009 |
20090323281 | CONTROLLING AN AIRFLOW PASSING INTO AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT CABINET - Controlling an airflow passing into an electronic component cabinet includes passing an airflow into the electronic component cabinet through a first passage having a first filter, sensing a parameter of the airflow passing through the first passage, detecting a change in the parameter of the first airflow associated with a flow restriction at the first filter, and shifting a first flap from a first position allowing the airflow to pass unrestricted through the first passage, to a second position, wherein the first flap creates a flow restriction for the airflow passing though the first passage, and triggers an actuation mechanism based on the change in parameter of the first airflow. Controlling the airflow further includes opening a second flap that exposes a second passage having a second filter based on the triggering of the switch, and passing an airflow into the electronic component cabinet through the second passage. | 12-31-2009 |
20100006126 | AIR VENT DUST SCRUBBER - An assembly used to scrape clean a vent pattern with a blade and catch or the scrapings. | 01-14-2010 |
20100009113 | IN-SITU MOLDED FASTENER - A method forming a fastener in-situ for fastening two parts at abutting surfaces. A through hole may be formed on each of the first and second parts such that the diameters of the through holes at the abutting surfaces are smaller than the diameters at opposing surfaces. The first and second parts are abutted with the through hole on the first part in fluid communication with the through hole on the second part. A flowable and hardenable material is injected into the first through hole while closing flow out of the second through hole. The flowable and hardenable material contained within the through holes is allowed to harden, thus forming a unitary fastener that fastens the parts. | 01-14-2010 |
20100079936 | TOOL-LESS BACKPLANE RETENTION FOR COMPUTER HARDWARE - An apparatus is provided and includes a housing, including a housing mating device, through which an installation path for an assembly is defined with a space in which a first part is positioned, a backplane body having opposing faces on which a second part and a backplane mating device are respectively disposed, and a hub, in which a hub mating device is defined, and from which a two-stage mating device extends, the two-stage mating device including first and second elastically coupled stages. The hub and the backplane body are coupled to form the assembly and the assembly is installed/removed in/from the space with the second stage of the two-stage mating device elastically hooked by the housing mating device or released from the housing mating device and the first and second stages of the two-stage mating device biasing the hub and the backplane body to remain coupled. | 04-01-2010 |
20100096514 | BAG HOLDER - A bagging station is provided and includes a bagging station structure including a base and a supportive portion vertically supported on the base, a bag holder, configured to hold bag handles of a bag, to occupy and selectively move between a stowed position, at which the bag holder is stowed, and a plurality of presented positions, at which the bag holder is available for bag holding, and a coupling device to couple the bag holder to the supportive portion such that the bag holder is biased to remain in a currently occupied one of the stowed position or at least one of the presented positions. | 04-22-2010 |
20100311283 | LOCKING CONNECTOR FOR ENGAGING A USB RECEPTACLE - A locking connector for engaging a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) receptacle, including: a connector housing having a locking cam opening on one side of the connector housing, the connector housing split along a longitudinal axis of the locking connector forming a connector housing gap on the same side of the connector housing as the locking cam opening; a locking cam surface positioned within the locking cam opening in contact with the connector housing; and a pivotable locking cam actuating lever connected to a top of the locking cam surface, the locking cam actuating lever having a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking cam surface in a rotated position expanding the connector housing when the cam actuating lever is in the locked position, the locking cam surface in a relaxed position with the connector housing not expanded when the cam actuating lever is in the unlocked position. | 12-09-2010 |
20110312214 | TAMPER PREVENTION AND DETECTION APPARATUS FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An apparatus for preventing and detecting tampering of an electronic device is provided. The apparatus may prevent and detect tampering occurring through an aperture in a casing of the electronic device where the aperture is configured for receiving a standoff that couples a communication cable to a communication port of the electronic device. Upon removal of the standoff, visual indicia of tampering may be provided. Additionally, a shield may block entry of the standoff into the aperture if the standoff is removed. | 12-22-2011 |
20120125072 | In situ formation of threads throughout bore of sleeve inserted into substrate hole - Threads are formed in situ throughout a bore of a sleeve inserted into a corresponding hole a substrate. A sleeve having a bore is inserted into a corresponding hole of a substrate. A mandrel is rotated through the sleeve. The mandrel has a threaded ended; the threaded end rotating throughout the bore of the sleeve forms threads throughout the bore. Prior to inserting the sleeve into the corresponding hole of the substrate, the sleeve can be placed onto the mandrel. In this case, the mandrel has an increasing diameter at the threaded end thereof, such that the sleeve rests on the mandrel towards the threaded end thereof where the bore has a smaller diameter than the mandrel. The mandrel is then rotated out of the sleeve in a direction opposite the direction in which the sleeve has been inserted into the corresponding hole of the substrate. | 05-24-2012 |
20120147117 | Detecting Print Line Loss - Printers and methods of printer operation are disclosed for detecting print line loss. Embodiments include at least one stable frame element and a print head that is moveable with respect to the stable frame element; and at least two optical elements mounted on one or more of the stable frame element and the print head, the optical elements oriented with respect to one another so as to detect motion of the print head. | 06-14-2012 |
20120200654 | PRINT MEDIA CHARACTERIZATION - A method is provided for detecting the type of print media provided to a thermal printer. A printer has a heat source disposed adjacent a temperature sensor to transfer heat upon activation across a portion of an introduced print media to the temperature sensor and a controller to receive a signal from the temperature sensor and to obtain a temperature signature generally identifying attributes of the introduced print media and to adjust print head settings in response to the identified attributes. The printer may further comprise a sensor to detect access to a print media storage compartment and to initiate examination of the heat transfer properties of the introduced print media upon detecting that the print storage compartment has been accessed. | 08-09-2012 |
20120253953 | ADJUSTMENT OF A SECURITY LEVEL OF A TRANSACTION SYSTEM BASED ON A BIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC OF A CUSTOMER - Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on biometric characteristics of a customer are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes interacting with a customer at a transaction terminal. The method also includes determining a biometric characteristic of the customer based on the interaction with the customer. Further, the method may include adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on the biometric characteristic. | 10-04-2012 |
20120255153 | TOOL-LESS BACKPLANE RETENTION FOR COMPUTER HARDWARE - An apparatus is provided and includes a housing, including a housing mating device, through which an installation path for an assembly is defined with a space in which a first part is positioned, a backplane body having opposing faces on which a second part and a backplane mating device are respectively disposed, and a hub, in which a hub mating device is defined, and from which a two-stage mating device extends, the two-stage mating device including first and second elastically coupled stages. The hub and the backplane body are coupled to form the assembly and the assembly is installed/removed in/from the space with the second stage of the two-stage mating device elastically hooked by the housing mating device or released from the housing mating device and the first and second stages of the two-stage mating device biasing the hub and the backplane body to remain coupled. | 10-11-2012 |
20120279646 | SYSTEM FOR FASTENING PARTS - A system for fastening two parts at abutting surfaces by forming an in-situ fastener. A device selectively forms variable width through holes on two parts to be fastened, such that the width of each through hole is larger on the first surface than the opposing second surface. Opposing first and second platens selectively urge the second surfaces of the two parts into engagement while the through holes of the two parts are in fluid communication with each other. An injection system includes a flow passage through the first platen to the through hole on the part engaged by the first platen, and a pressurizing mechanism for urging the flowable and hardenable material through the flow passage and into the first and second through holes between the first and second platens under pressure. Pressure is maintained while the flowable and hardenable material hardens within the through holes. | 11-08-2012 |
20120293952 | HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS - An apparatus is provided to remove heat from a heat-generating component of a computer, such as a processor. The apparatus comprises a first heat sink having a plurality of leader fins, wherein the first heat sink is thermo-conductively coupled to a heat-generating component that is coupled to a first portion of a chassis; and a second heat sink having a plurality of follower fins, wherein the second heat sink is thermo-conductively coupled to a second portion of the chassis, and wherein the plurality of follower fins are disposed in an interlaced configuration with the plurality of follower fins to promote radiative heat transfer from the leader fins to the follower fins. Optionally, one or more alignment structures may be used to facilitate the relative movement of the first and second chassis portions into an operative position in which the leader and follower fins are in the interlaced configuration. The apparatus may be used to remove heat from a heat-generating component in a closed system with little or no limited air flow. | 11-22-2012 |
20130098996 | RECOGNITION OF ENCODED INFORMATION ON DOCUMENTS - Systems and methods for recognition of encoded information on documents are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes a document reader configured to read encoded information from a document, and to output an electrical signal representative of the encoded information. The system also includes signal conditioning modules that are each configured to receive the electrical signal, and to condition the received electrical signal differently for outputting a plurality of conditioned electrical signals. Further, the system includes an information recognition module configured to analyze each of the conditioned electrical signals and to select one of the conditioned electrical signals for use in recognizing the encoded information. | 04-25-2013 |
20130147970 | Camera Based Information Exchange Mechanism - Mechanisms, in a portable computing device comprising a camera, for exchanging information between a user and a provider are provided. With these mechanisms, an image is captured using the camera of the portable computing device and an identifier of a physical object associated with the captured image is determined. The portable computing device transmits the identifier of the physical object, and user information describing a user of the portable computing device, to a separate computing device associated with a provider of the physical object. The portable computing device receives information associated with the physical object from the separate computing device associated with the provider of the physical object. A storage device of the portable computing device stores the physical object information in association with at least one of the captured image or the identifier of the physical object. | 06-13-2013 |
20130155595 | MULTI-MODE COMPUTING SYSTEMS FOR POINT OF SALE TRANSACTIONS - Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface. | 06-20-2013 |
20130167062 | TOUCHSCREEN GESTURES FOR SELECTING A GRAPHICAL OBJECT - A two-finger selection method is implemented on a touchscreen of an electronic device. One embodiment involves sensing the touch positions of two fingers on the touchscreen. In response to sensing the two simultaneous touch positions, a selection graphic is displayed and dynamically positioned on the touchscreen as a function of the two touch positions. A specific graphical object, such as a command button having an associated function, is selected in response to a separate selection input received while the selection graphic is positioned on the specific graphical object. | 06-27-2013 |
20130208070 | PRINTER CHARACTERIZATION OF PRINT MEDIA - A printer has a heat source disposed adjacent a temperature sensor to transfer heat upon activation across a portion of an introduced print media to the temperature sensor and a controller to receive a signal from the temperature sensor and to obtain a temperature signature generally identifying attributes of the introduced print media and to adjust print head settings in response to the identified attributes. The printer may further comprise a sensor to detect access to a print media storage compartment and to initiate examination of the heat transfer properties of the introduced print media upon detecting that the print storage compartment has been accessed. | 08-15-2013 |
20130282460 | MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN A TRANSACTION SESSION - In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, methods and systems disclosed herein provide for management of multiple electronic devices in a transaction session. An example method includes associating a user identifier of a first shopper with a transaction session. The method may also include receiving, from a second shopper, a request to join the transaction session. Further, the method may include processing the transaction session based on the request. | 10-24-2013 |
20130320177 | TILT ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A DISPLAY SCREEN - A tilt assembly for a display screen is provided. The tilt assembly includes a base assembly that includes a base casing configured to engage with a proximally positioned surface and a base plate configured to cooperatively form the tilt assembly with the base casing. The base plate is configured to translate aft and fore and impart a pivot to the display screen. | 12-05-2013 |
20140025465 | Tracking Pre-Purchase/Post-Purchase Shopping Activity - A mechanism is provided for tracking and facilitating pre-shopping/post-purchase activity. An indication is received that a user has completed a task in a set of tasks of a quest, where the quest is a pre-purchase/post-purchase shopping activity quest. Verification is made as to whether the task has been completed. Responsive to verifying the task has been completed, a determination is made as to whether all of the set of tasks of the quest have been completed. Responsive to all of the set of tasks being completed, a presentation is initiated of an agreed-upon reward to the user. All information from quest is then submitted to a sponsor of the quest. | 01-23-2014 |
20140129231 | AUTHENTICATION BASED ON SOUND PROXIMITY - A computer program product comprises computer usable program code for receiving data describing a proposed electronic transaction between first and second communications devices. Additional computer usable program code is provided for generating a first audio signal by sound detected by a first microphone of the first communications device, and for generating a second audio signal by sound detected by a second microphone that is part of the second communications device. Still further computer usable program code provides for authenticating that the first communications device and the second communications device are in the same proximity in response to determining that the first and second audio signals were produced by the same sound event, and for completing the proposed electronic transaction between the first and second communications device in response to authenticating that the first and second communications devices are in close proximity. | 05-08-2014 |
20140268513 | DISPLAY SCREEN ASSEMBLY HAVING A SELECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE MOUNT ASSEMBLY - A display screen assembly is provided. The display screen defines a channel for allowing selective engagement of the display screen. A mount assembly is provided and includes a base for supporting the display screen assembly about a support surface, and a locking assembly that selectively engages the channel to thereby lock the mount assembly to the display screen. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278745 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING RETAIL PROCESS ANALYTICS INFORMATION BASED ON PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATOR DATA - Systems and methods for providing retail process analytics information based on physiological indicator data are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method may include using a processor and memory for receiving physiological indicator data associated with a person. The processor and memory may also be used for determining a retail environment condition at a time associated with the physiological indicator data. Further, the processor and memory may be used for generating retail process analytics information for user presentation based on the physiological indicator data and the retail environment condition. | 09-18-2014 |
20140283025 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING ACTIVITY WITHIN RETAIL ENVIRONMENTS USING NETWORK AUDIT TOKENS - Systems and methods for monitoring activity within retail environments using network audit tokens are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method may include using a processor and memory of a first computing device for determining information associated with an activity of the first computing device within a network environment. The method also includes receiving a network audit token from a second computing device within the retail environment. Further, the method includes communicating the information associated with the activity to a third computing device in response to receipt of the network audit token. | 09-18-2014 |
20140324609 | MULTI-MODE COMPUTING SYSTEMS FOR POINT OF SALE TRANSACTIONS - Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface. | 10-30-2014 |
20140330655 | ADJUSTMENT OF A SECURITY LEVEL OF A TRANSACTION SYSTEM BASED ON A BIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC OF A CUSTOMER - Methods and systems for adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on biometric characteristics of a customer are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes interacting with a customer at a transaction terminal. The method also includes determining a biometric characteristic of the customer based on the interaction with the customer. Further, the method may include adjusting a security level of a transaction system based on the biometric characteristic. | 11-06-2014 |
20150016051 | DISPLAY ASSEMBLY HAVING GRADUATED MAGNETIC FASTENING CHARACTERISTICS - A display assembly is provided. The display may include a holder defining a first portion and an electronic device defining a corresponding second portion that is in magnetic attraction to the first portion when the electronic device is positioned about the holder. At least one of the first portion and the second portion defines a magnet having an exposed magnetic surface area that increases along a length of the magnet. | 01-15-2015 |
20150032265 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION CONTROL AND MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Environmental condition control and monitoring systems and methods are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a condition profile of an object. Further, the method includes identifying the object within an environment. The method also includes determining whether the environment meets a requirement defined by the condition profile of the object. The method also includes controlling environment conditioning equipment based on whether the environment meets the requirement. | 01-29-2015 |
20150071705 | IN SITU FORMATION OF THREADS THROUGHOUT BORE OF SLEEVE INSERTED INTO SUBSTRATE HOLE - Threads are formed in situ throughout a bore of a sleeve inserted into a corresponding hole a substrate. A sleeve having a bore is inserted into a corresponding hole of a substrate. A mandrel is rotated through the sleeve. The mandrel has a threaded ended; the threaded end rotating throughout the bore of the sleeve forms threads throughout the bore. Prior to inserting the sleeve into the corresponding hole of the substrate, the sleeve can be placed onto the mandrel. In this case, the mandrel has an increasing diameter at the threaded end thereof, such that the sleeve rests on the mandrel towards the threaded end thereof where the bore has a smaller diameter than the mandrel. The mandrel is then rotated out of the sleeve in a direction opposite the direction in which the sleeve has been inserted into the corresponding hole of the substrate. | 03-12-2015 |