John C Allard

US Patent:

6837428, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Aug 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/943432

Inventors:

Mike Lee - Jacksonville FL, US
Chuck Kurtz - Jacksonville FL, US
Ron Wallace - Jacksonville FL, US
Scott Dickover - Jacksonville FL, US
Mike Radzimski - Jacksonville FL, US
Wes Dickover - Jacksonville FL, US
Scott Martin - Jacksonville FL, US
Terry Nesbit - Jacksonville FL, US
Derek Williams - Jacksonville FL, US
John Allard - Jacksonville FL, US

International Classification:

G06K 1500

US Classification:

235383, 235385, 235380

Abstract:

A self-checkout system includes a first conveyor having a security tunnel which measures a characteristic of a product placed on the conveyor. A code identifying the product is first input into the system through UPC scanning or other input means, and then placed on the conveyor. When the characteristic of the product is measured (e. g. , weight, height, width, length), it is compared to corresponding information within the system. If the data matches or is within a predetermined tolerance, the product is transported down the conveyor to a second conveyor, which further transports the product to a bagging area. When the customer is finished scanning products, an input device allows the customer to select self-payment through either cash, credit, debit, or other means (e. g. , ebt, store credit and the like). Other features include automatic security tag deactivation and coupon redemption.

US Patent:

7487109, Feb 3, 2009

Filed:

Jan 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/038405

Inventors:

Brian Taylor - Jacksonville FL, US
John Allard - Boca Raton FL, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06Q 20/00

US Classification:

705 21

Abstract:

A method of optimizing attribute information of a product attribute stored in a product database is provided. The product database includes update information comprising a time that the attribute information has last been updated and correction history information including recorded samples of new attribute information. The attribute information is used as a security measure in a self-checkout purchasing system to confirm that a purchased product is the same product identified by the system after identification information of the product is input by a user of the system. The method includes conducting a query of the database for any products having said update information older than a predetermined period of time, having correction history information, and where the history information includes a plurality of recorded samples greater than a predetermined amount. The query establishes a query result, whereby revised attribute information is then calculated using the plurality of the recorded samples as data. The revised attribute information is then stored as the current attribute information at a time which replaces the time information contained in the database relating to the time the attribute information was last updated.

US Patent:

20200286058, Sep 10, 2020

Filed:

Mar 7, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/295544

Inventors:

- Atlanta GA, US
John C. Allard - Hobe Sound FL, US

International Classification:

G06Q 20/18
G06K 9/72
G06T 7/20
G06K 9/00

Abstract:

A transaction is detected on a terminal. A context for an association of items, bags, shelving, carts, and individuals present during the transaction is maintained from images captured during the transaction. Rules are processed to determine actions to process during the transaction and/or after the transaction based on reported transaction details, the context, and analytics derived from the images for the context. In an embodiment, at least one rule identifies an action that overrides an attendant intervention at the terminal, which would have been issued for a detected weight discrepancy by a scale of the terminal.

US Patent:

20140372237, Dec 18, 2014

Filed:

Sep 3, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/475649

Inventors:

- Duluth GA, US
John C. Allard - Hobe Sound FL, US

International Classification:

G06Q 20/20

US Classification:

705 23

Abstract:

Various methods are described for facilitating in-aisle scanning of one or more items to be purchased at a store. One example method may comprise scanning a barcode associated with an item. The method may further comprise adding the item to a list of items to be purchased. Additionally, the method may comprise receiving an indication that the item needs to be weighed. The method may further comprise flagging the item in the list to be weighed during checkout. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.

US Patent:

20140324613, Oct 30, 2014

Filed:

Apr 30, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/874097

Inventors:

Thomas V. Edwards - Suwanee GA, US
John C. Allard - Hobe Sound FL, US
Gregory Scott Egan - Flowery Branch GA, US
Mark Christopher Johnson - Lawrenceville GA, US
Levino Felix Perrucci - Lawrenceville GA, US
John Spencer Tyndall - Atlanta GA, US
William Brian Whiteside - Ball Ground GA, US

Assignee:

NCR CORPORATION - Duluth GA

International Classification:

A47F 9/04
G06Q 20/20

US Classification:

705 23, 186 67, 186 66

Abstract:

A high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus and method are presented. The high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus permits bagging operations for multiple purchase transactions to occur in parallel. Overlapping the bagging operation of multiple purchase transactions allows the scanning and payment operations of the purchase transactions to continue at higher speeds. In addition, point of sale terminals with high-velocity item scanners are allowed to function at higher speeds.

US Patent:

20140175164, Jun 26, 2014

Filed:

Dec 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/723633

Inventors:

- Duluth GA, US
John C. Allard - Hobe Sound FL, US

Assignee:

NCR CORPORATION - Duluth GA

International Classification:

G06Q 30/06

US Classification:

235375

Abstract:

Various methods are described for facilitating in-aisle scanning of one or more items to be purchased at a store. One example method may comprise scanning a barcode associated with an item. The method may further comprise adding the item to a list of items to be purchased. Additionally, the method may comprise receiving an indication that the item needs to be weighed. The method may further comprise flagging the item in the list to be weighed during checkout. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.