COMPUTERIZED APPARATUS FOR TRANSFER BETWEEN LOCATIONS

• US 20150213401A1
• Filed: 02/06/2015
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Original Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Inventors: Gazdzinski, Mark J., Gazdzinski, Robert F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,349,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/06 using voice
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00193 : Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00314 : Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00225 : Vending machine or POS (Point Of Sale) apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00322 : Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 : for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 : for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 : the containers being a postal pick-up locker
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 : the arrangements being full-front touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 : the reader being an RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A computerized apparatus useful for causing transfer of items (tangible or otherwise) from at least one location to another. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a portable user-operated apparatus having at least one input device enabled to receive input identifying the item(s) to be transferred, and a wireless interface to interface with a nearby computer system (e.g., desktop computer, kiosk, or other device) to cause the computer system to invoke the transfer via a remote entity. In one variant, the transfer involves inputting barcode data via the portable device, and resultant shipment of consumable items to the user'"'"'s location. In another variant, the transfer is an electronic transfer of a data structure such as an MP3 music file.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A portable computerized apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

memory in data communication with said processor;

an first interface in data communication with the processor and configured to receive information that identifies an item to be shipped that has been selected by a user;

a wireless interface in data communication with the processor and having a range associated therewith; and

a software process operative to run on said processor, said software process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, encode and transmit at least a portion of said information, the transmission via the wireless interface to a computerized system, the computerized system disposed within the wireless range of the wireless interface, said computerized system configured to utilize said at least portion of said information to form a communication to be sent to a remote entity via a network interface of the computerized system;

wherein said communication is configured to cause a shipment by a third party of said item for said user from a first location to a second location.

22. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 21, wherein:

the selection occurs at a then-current location of the user; and

said shipment by a third party of said item for said user from a first location to a second location comprises a shipment from the first location to the then-current location.

23. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first interface comprises a user interface capable of receipt of a user'"'"' speech, said user'"'"'s speech comprising at least a portion of the information that identifies the item, said portable computerized apparatus further configured to cause conversion of the received user'"'"'s speech into a digital representation thereof.

24. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first interface further comprises a bar code scanning apparatus configured to receive the information from a bar code.

25. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first interface comprises a bar code scanning apparatus configured to receive the information from a bar code.

26. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 21, wherein the item comprises an item having a bar code printed thereon or affixed thereto.

27. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second location comprises a previously stored location entered by the user, the previously stored location being selected by the user as the second location via an input device of the portable computerized apparatus.

28. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second location comprises a previously stored location entered by the user, the previously stored location being selected by the user as the second location via an input device of the computerized system.

29. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 28, wherein the previously stored location comprises a location associated with the user'"'"'s home or office.

30. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 21, wherein the portable computerized apparatus comprises a substantially bar-shaped or wand form factor, and the wireless interface comprises a wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 standard.

31. A portable computerized apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

memory in data communication with said processor;

an first interface in data communication with the processor and configured to receive information that identifies a consumable item scanned by a user at a first location;

a wireless interface in data communication with the processor and having a range associated therewith; and

a software process operative to run on said processor, said software process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, encode and transmit at least a portion of said information, the transmission via the wireless interface to a computerized system, the computerized system disposed within the wireless range of the wireless interface, said computerized system configured to utilize said at least portion of said information to form a communication to be sent to a remote entity via a network interface of the computerized system;

wherein said communication is configured to cause a shipment by a third party of one or more items similar to said consumable item from a second location to the first location in order to replenish at least said consumable item.

32. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 31, wherein:

the consumable item comprises a bar code disposed at least partly on an exterior surface of said consumable item;

the portable computerized apparatus comprises a substantially bar-shaped or wand form factor;

the wireless interface comprises a wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 standard; and

the first interface comprises a bar code scanning device configured to enable said scanning of said bar code of said consumable item.

33. The portable computerized apparatus of claim 32, wherein the consumable item comprises a container configured to contain one or more other items therein during shipment.

34. A computerized apparatus, comprising:

1) a portable computerized apparatus, the portable computerized apparatus comprising;

a processor;

memory in data communication with said processor;

an first interface in data communication with the processor and configured to receive information that identifies an item;

a wireless interface in data communication with the processor and having a range associated therewith; and

a software process operative to run on said processor, said software process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, encode and transmit at least a portion of said information, the transmission via the wireless interface; and

2) a second software process configured to run on a computerized system in data communication with the portable computerized apparatus via at least the wireless interface and a corresponding wireless interface of the computerized system, the second software process comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed on the computerized system;

receive the transmitted at least portion of the information from the software process of the portable apparatus;

receive an input from a user via an input device of the computerized system, the input identifying a second location to which to ship the item; and

utilize at least said at least portion of said information and said data relating to said second location to form a communication to be sent to a remote entity via a network interface of the computerized system;

wherein said communication is configured to cause a transfer by a third party of the item from a first location to the second location, and cause payment for said transfer using at least previously stored payment information associated with the user.

35. The computerized apparatus of claim 34, wherein:

the item comprises a bar code disposed at least partly on an exterior surface of said item;

the portable computerized apparatus comprises a substantially bar-shaped or wand form factor;

the wireless interface comprises a wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 standard; and

the first interface comprises a bar code scanning device configured to enable said scanning of said bar code of said item.

36. The computerized apparatus of claim 35, wherein the computerized apparatus further comprises a speech recognition apparatus configured to receive a user'"'"'s speech input and render the received speech input in a digital format for use by at least one of the computerized system and/or the remote entity.

37. The computerized apparatus of claim 35, wherein said payment for said transfer using at least previously stored payment information associated with the user comprises access via a network of at least one server disposed remotely from both the first and second locations.

38. The computerized apparatus of claim 34, wherein said item comprises an electronic data structure, and said transfer comprises a transfer of the data structure over a network.

39. The computerized apparatus of claim 38, wherein said electronic data structure comprises a Moving Pictures Experts Group audio file format rendering of a musical composition.