Robert C Sadler

US Patent:

6363355, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Dec 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/217539

Inventors:

James Morrison - Suwanee GA
John C. Addy - Lawrenceville GA
Robert F. Sadler - Cumming GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06F 1760

US Classification:

705 23, 705 16, 902 22, 235383, 186 59, 186 64

Abstract:

A method of operating a self-service checkout system which includes a base having a scanner secured thereto includes the step of securing an itemization-only retail terminal to the base. The method also includes the step of coupling the itemization-only retail terminal to the scanner. The method further includes the step of operating the itemization-only retail terminal and the scanner so as to allow a first user to enter a first number of items for purchase into the self-service checkout system for a first time period while (i) the itemization-only retail terminal is secured to the base, and (ii) the itemization-only retail terminal is coupled to the scanner. Moreover, the method includes the step of detaching the itemization-only retail terminal from the base. Yet further, the method includes the step of decoupling the itemization-only retail terminal from the scanner. The method further includes the step of securing a full-tendering retail terminal to the base.

US Patent:

6408407, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Jun 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/325075

Inventors:

Robert Francis Sadler - Cumming GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714 57, 714 2, 714 48

Abstract:

An error delegating processing system for performing operations under control of one or more applications, with device requests being made as needed by the applications. If a device returns a normal status, processing proceeds. If a device returns an error status, a specialized error handler performs error correction. The error handler examines the error status to determine if the error interferes with continued system operation. If not, the error status is logged for later correction and control is returned to the requesting application. If the error status interferes with continued operation, the error status is further examined to determine if it is correctable by a customer. If so, the error handler gives the customer instructions for correcting the error. If the error status is not correctable by the customer, the error handler suspends system operation and issues an alert for a non-customer user to correct the error status. Once the error status is corrected, control is returned to the requesting application.

US Patent:

6571218, May 27, 2003

Filed:

Apr 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/291708

Inventors:

Robert F. Sadler - Cumming GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06F 1760

US Classification:

705 16, 705 21, 235462, 235467

Abstract:

In a system for processing store interventions in a network of self-checkout terminals, self-checkout terminals monitor the self-checkout activities performed to determine whether an issue has arisen requiring intervention by store personnel. Detected issues are prioritized and placed into an issues log. A remote authorization station connected into the network accesses the issues log to review and resolve the issues that have arisen in priority order. Further, where it is determined that an issue has arisen at a self-checkout terminal that cannot be resolved at that terminal, the transaction is suspended and then resumed at a personnel-operated terminal.

US Patent:

6788205, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Aug 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/231995

Inventors:

Timothy E. Mason - Buford GA
Robert F. Sadler - Cumming GA

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G08B 1318

US Classification:

3405723, 3405721, 235383

Abstract:

A system for verifying deactivation of an EAS tag at a self-checkout counter includes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag deactivator for deactivating EAS tags attached to articles processed at a checkout station and an EAS tag interrogator associated with the checkout station that generates an electronic checkout disable signal in response to detection of an EAS tag by the EAS tag interrogator. The checkout disable signal may be used to disable the operation of a self-checkout station component so that the consumer is unable to process additional articles until the EAS tag deactivation operation is successful. The generation and use of the checkout disable signal helps ensure that a consumer at a self-checkout station deactivates all EAS tags attached to articles processed at a self-checkout station during checkout. The checkout disable signal may be sent to the processor of the terminal of the self-checkout station to cause the processor to disable components of the self-checkout station. The processor of the self-checkout station terminal may disable operation of the scanner and/or keyboard so the consumer is not able to scan or otherwise submit additional articles for checkout processing.

US Patent:

6856964, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

Mar 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/273363

Inventors:

Robert F. Sadler - Cumming GA, US

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705 16, 705 21, 705 17, 705 1, 705500, 703 27

Abstract:

A self-checkout terminal system includes a self-checkout core application module for controlling a self-checkout terminal, the self-checkout core application module controlling peripheral input and output devices at the self-checkout terminal for receiving inputs from, and providing outputs to, a retail customer. An emulator module connected to the self-checkout core application module emulates, independent from the self-checkout core application, a native vendor software application in a network of cashier-operated checkout terminals administered by a vendor server computer, the emulator module passing commands and data to, and receiving commands and data from, the vendor server. The self-checkout core application converts inputs received at the peripheral input devices into inputs expected by the emulated native vendor software application, and converts device update outputs from the emulated native vendor software application into updates to the peripheral output devices.

US Patent:

6857505, Feb 22, 2005

Filed:

Jul 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/191172

Inventors:

Timothy E. Mason - Buford GA, US
Robert F. Sadler - Cumming GA, US
Scott A. Barnhart - North Bend WA, US

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

A47F010/00

US Classification:

186 59

Abstract:

A method of operating a checkout terminal includes the step of detecting generation of a peripheral-request control signal. The peripheral-request control signal including instructions for operating a retail peripheral device. The method also includes the step of generating a dispenser control signal in response to the detecting step. Moreover, the method includes the step of operating a currency dispenser so as to dispense an amount of change due to a customer in response to the dispenser control signal. The currency dispenser is distinct from the retail peripheral device. A checkout terminal is also disclosed.

US Patent:

7272570, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

Jul 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/195588

Inventors:

Robert F. Sadler - Cumming GA, US

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06G 20/00

US Classification:

705 16, 705 17, 235 7 R

Abstract:

A self-checkout terminal system includes a self-checkout core application module for controlling a self-checkout terminal, the self-checkout core application module controlling peripheral input and output devices at the self-checkout terminal for receiving inputs from, and providing outputs to, a retail customer. An emulator module connected to the self-checkout core application module emulates, independent from the self-checkout core application, a native vendor software application in a network of cashier-operated checkout terminals administered by a vendor server computer, the emulator module passing commands and data to, and receiving commands and data from, the vendor server. The self-checkout core application converts inputs received at the peripheral input devices into inputs expected by the emulated native vendor software application, and converts device update outputs from the emulated native vendor software application into updates to the peripheral output devices.

US Patent:

7592958, Sep 22, 2009

Filed:

Oct 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/691150

Inventors:

Robert A. Sadler - Duluth GA, US

Assignee:

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, AB - Lund

International Classification:

H01Q 1/24
H01Q 1/36

US Classification:

343702, 343895

Abstract:

An antenna for a radio communications device includes a ground plane and a conductor loop overlying the ground plane. A monopole extends off the ground plane, and the monopole and the conductor loop are coupled at a common feedpoint. In some embodiments, the conductor loop is rectangular. In further embodiments, the antenna may further include a helical element arranged coaxial with the monopole and coupled to the common feedpoint. The ground plane, the conductor loop, the monopole and the helical element may be configured to provide a desirable voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) over a wide frequency range of frequencies used for cellular telephony, global positioning services, and ad hoc wireless networking. Radio communications devices incorporating such antennas are also described.