Bizarre Patents
Pizza Pie With Concentric Rings of Crust
A pizza mold for forming a plurality of concentric raised ridges of dough (i.e., crust) on the surface of a pizza pie.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7347364 | Method and apparatus for managing vending machine offers In accordance with one or more embodiments, a promotion redeemable at a vending machine is determined. The promotion comprises an offer distinct from a general offer to sell products from the vending machine at posted prices. The promotion is output (e.g., via an ou... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7289877 | Fuel dispensing system for cash customers The present invention is to provide a fuel dispensing system for enhancing cash transactions wherein the system includes a fuel dispenser associated with a control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals including identification indicia from a remote commun... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7284700 | Advanced voting system and method In one embodiment, an advanced voting system includes one or more computing devices operable to receive instructions from a voter to adjust a color of a screen of a computing device. The color adjustment instructions are indicated by the voter's selection of non-ded... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7272570 | System and methods for integrating a self-checkout system into an existing store system 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 fr... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7216083 | Automated transaction machine digital signature system and method An automated transaction machine such as an ATM (10) is provided. The ATM is operative to digitally sign electronic documents (42). The ATM may be in operative connection with a storage server (32). The storage server is operative responsive to ... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7201315 | Service station car wash An improved service station car wash system. A car wash kiosk is coupled to the fuel dispenser communication loop in the forecourt of the service station so that the car wash kiosk appears to the service station controller just as a fuel dispenser would. The car was... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7194423 | Method and apparatus for determining a progressive discount for a customer based on the frequency of the customer's transactions A system and method are disclosed for determining and applying a discount to a customer's transaction. The discount is of a progressive nature, wherein the value of a customer's discount increases if the customer meets the conditions associated with the discount. Th... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7185809 | RF point of purchase apparatus and method of using same The present invention provides a checkout device that includes a purchasable item having an RFID tag affixed thereto and a scanner for detecting the RFID tag. A dispenser proximate to the scanner dispenses a point of purchase product upon selection by a user of the ... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7168525 | Self-checkout method and apparatus including graphic interface for non-bar coded items A self-checkout system includes a graphical user interface for self-checkout of non-bar-coded items. The interface displayes a predetermined image corresponding to a non-bar-coded item, and means for the user to select the image. A product look up (PLU) entry device... | 01/30/2007 |
| 7155401 | Automatic sales promotion selection system and method An automated sales promotion selection system uses neural networks to identify promising sales promotions based on recent customer purchases. The system includes a customer information device that receives customer data relating to customer purchases of items from a... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7143938 | Checkout area gate and method of using same A device for use in a checkout area of a self-service store has at least one part operable by electromotive and/or electromechanical operation, the operating arrangement of which is controlled by an electronic control unit, optionally with a manually actuatable oper... | 12/05/2006 |
| 7118026 | Apparatus, method, and system for positively identifying an item A system, such as a checkout station, for positively identifying items includes a reader that reads coded information affixed to an item. The system further includes a capture module, such as a camera. The capture module captures a visual characteristic of the item ... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7114656 | Fixed self-checkout station with cradle for communicating with portable self-scanning units A retail checkout system includes a customer-operated portable terminal with a data reader, such as a barcode scanner, and a customer-operated self-checkout station with an automated payment-accepting subsystem. Customers use the portable terminal to identify and lo... | 10/03/2006 |
| 7080030 | Digital online exchange A system for dynamically pricing media content is operatively coupled to one or more clients over a network. The system dynamically adjusts pricing of the media content and delivers the media content to the clients that order the media content at a dynamically adjus... | 07/18/2006 |
| 7080028 | Methods and apparatus for promotional electronic signs Techniques for displaying promotional information by providing an electronic sign (ES) which displays promotional information, display slogans, bundled pricing, bulk pricing, and other types of information. The ES can be used by retailers to increase sales, provide ... | 07/18/2006 |
| 7058581 | System and method of distributing and returning products The present invention comprises a product distribution and return system which includes a return mailer dispensed with a product from a vending machine. The product is returnable in the return mailer to a return center in another location. In another embodiment, a m... | 06/06/2006 |
| 7051079 | Information intermediary apparatus, information management apparatus, and information communication system An information intermediary apparatus for communicating through a communication network with an information management apparatus having user information stored therein, the information intermediary apparatus, which includes: a first communication section for establi... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7050991 | System and method for managing expiration-dated products utilizing an electronic receipt The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods by which information concerning the shelf-life limitations of a particular product item is made available to the purchaser electronically; that the electronically recorded shelf-life limitation informatio... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7044331 | Media dispenser module and automated teller machine having the same A media dispenser module for an ATM is provided which has a secure locking mechanism. The media dispenser module may include a casing that is separatably coupled to a discharge portion for media, including a media mounting portion, on which discharged media is mount... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7027890 | Fuel dispensing system for cash customers The present invention is a fuel dispensing system for enhancing cash transactions, which includes a fuel dispenser associated with a control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals, including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associat... | 04/11/2006 |
| 7024378 | Retail system with drive-through check-out arrangement A novel retail system is provided with an advance ordering system that enables a customer to order a purchase in advance. At least one storage facility is arranged for storing goods available for ordering. Multiple retail facilities remote with respect to the storag... | 04/04/2006 |
| 7020541 | Fuel dispensing system for cash customers The present invention is a fuel dispensing system for enhancing cash transactions, which includes a fuel dispenser associated with a control system and a receiver adapted to receive signals, including identification indicia from a remote communications unit associat... | 03/28/2006 |
| 7005988 | Using radio frequency identification to detect and/or prevent theft and shoplifting Techniques are disclosed for detecting shoplifting or theft, particularly in a retail environment, using radio-frequency identification (“RFID”). Preferred embodiments leverage RFID tags on merchandise and RFID data that is written at the point of sale on the me... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6996460 | Method and apparatus for providing virtual touch interaction in the drive-thru The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing an enhanced automatic drive-thru experience to the customers in a vehicle by allowing use of natural hand gestures to interact with digital content. The invention is named Virtual Touch Ordering System (V... | 02/07/2006 |
| 6970831 | Method and means for evaluating customer service performance A method for evaluating customer service performance is implemented by a computer software application. Customers are presented with transaction specific questions to evaluate particular employees. A customer's response to a survey question is stored on a computer. ... | 11/29/2005 |
| 6964321 | Method and system for presenting merchandise at an outdoor paved surface A method and system for presenting merchandise on a paved surface which employs permanently installed anchors each having a vertical sleeve. Poles of common height are inserted within the sleeves of the anchors in a manner defining a three dimensional merchandising ... | 11/15/2005 |
| 6965865 | System and method for integrated customer management An automated system and method for customer management deploys customer databases to profile customer service requests for distribution to appropriately assigned agent representatives. The representatives adopt particular roles according to customer care volume, inq... | 11/15/2005 |
| 6945457 | Automated transaction machine An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system (40). The integrated system (40) generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offere... | 09/20/2005 |
| 6940393 | System and method for improved queuing, service-time, and capacity in drive-through operations A system and method of queuing orders locates data-entry modules relative to a pickup location such that a customer who places an order after a customer who placed an earlier order can be signaled to approach a pickup location before the first customer if the order ... | 09/06/2005 |
| 6775915 | Method and device for determining adequacy of space for television sets An article for determining the adequacy of space for a television set comprises a foldable generally rigid body, such as cardboard, having dimensions approximately equal to those of the television set. The article includes indicia indicating the diagonal screen size... | 08/17/2004 |
| 6722473 | Cash dispensing system for merchandise delivery facility A system for providing cash to users in a merchandise delivery environment such as a fast food drive-through environment. The system includes a customer request station (212, 262, 288, 300, 322, 378) at which the customer is enabled to input a request for mer... | 04/20/2004 |
| 6578671 | Method and system for the automated exchange of merchandise A method and system for automatic drop off and pick up of merchandise on which service is desired. The system includes a processing device for input of data related to merchandise to be dropped off, a drop off section for receiving the merchandise being d... | 06/17/2003 |
| 6386323 | Cash dispensing method and system for merchandise delivery facility A system for providing cash to users in a merchandise delivery environment such as a fast food drive-through environment. The system includes a customer request station (212, 262, 288, 300, 322, 378) at which the customer is enabled to input a request for... | 05/14/2002 |
| 6279684 | Newspaper dispensing apparatus and method A newspaper dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a cavity for storing newspapers. A door is pivotally attached to the housing via a pair of hinges. A locking subassembly releasably engages the door in a closed position. The disclosed apparatus i... | 08/28/2001 |
| 6167381 | Self-service checkout terminal A self-service checkout terminal includes a base having a bagwell defined therein. The terminal also includes a first counter supported on the base. The first counter has a first surface which is positioned at a first height. The terminal further includes... | 12/26/2000 |
| 5992570 | Self-service checkout apparatus A self-service checkout apparatus for processing items selected by a customer for purchase includes a customer operated device, such as a scanner/scale, for identifying each item selected for purchase. The apparatus also includes a self-service terminal w... | 11/30/1999 |
| 5499707 | Automated merchandising kiosk A multi-product, self-service merchandising kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, illuminated merchandise display, internal drink dispenser and modular, dry goods dispenser having multi-compartmented inventory shelving and bottoml... | 03/19/1996 |
| 5493315 | Video display control An apparatus for displaying video information includes a video display screen, a screen buffer, a frame buffer, and a video image data assembly module. The module assembles data from linked lists of screen objects, segment objects and field objects which ... | 02/20/1996 |
| 5482139 | Automated drive-up vending facility An automated drive-up vending facility (10) and method utilizes a plurality of automatic transaction machines (12) located around the periphery of a storage building (14), whereby customers can drive their vehicles along side the building, insert an accou... | 01/09/1996 |
| 5113974 | Timed cycle single stop shopping facility A single stop shopping facility that comprises a plurality of customer stations, each including a vehicle parking space, which are arranged around the exterior of a circular building containing goods for sale. The customer stations and building rotate rel... | 05/19/1992 |
