Robert P Tennant

US Patent:

7445189, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Aug 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/467459

Inventors:

Aaron Roger Cox - Tucson AZ, US
Thomas John Sluchak - Apex NC, US
Robert Paul Tennant - Apex NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

F16M 13/00

US Classification:

248415, 2481232, 24828911, 248919

Abstract:

An apparatus and method is disclosed for automatically maintaining the viewing angle of a first display, mounted to a second display, regardless of the viewing angle of the second display. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a first display and a pivot mechanism to connect the first display to a second display. The pivot mechanism enables the first display to pivot relative to the second display. An angle retention mechanism is provided to automatically maintain the viewing angle of the first display regardless of the viewing angle of the second display.

US Patent:

7516818, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Sep 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/219226

Inventors:

Richard Hunter Harris - Raleigh NC, US
Brian Hargrove Leonard - Durham NC, US
Robert Paul Tennant - Apex NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

A63F 9/02

US Classification:

186 59, 160238

Abstract:

The present invention provides a checkout system which comprises an item accumulation (bagging) area which is partitioned into two or more sections using a flexible divider. The flexible divider extends from the entry zone of the accumulation area to a point on the boundary of the accumulation zone, but is longer than required to achieve this. When items are introduced into one section of the bagging area, if the items push against the flexible divider, for example due to weight of numbers, the divider flexes into the other section thereby making more space available in the current section for the items. Optionally the flexible divider is movable between two positions in the entry zone such that it further acts as a diverter for diverting items into one or other of the two sections and preferably a motor is used to automatically perform the movement.

US Patent:

7516820, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Jan 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/020219

Inventors:

Aaron R. Cox - Tucson AZ, US
Thomas J. Sluchak - Apex NC, US
Robert P. Tennant - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

A63F 9/02

US Classification:

186 66, 248 95, 248 99, 383 6, 383 23, 383 34, 211 12, 211 8515

Abstract:

A retail checkout station includes a housing having at least a front wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, and a product scanning portion mounted to the housing. The product scanning portion includes a scanning device for scanning products purchased by a consumer. The checkout station also includes a collapsible multiple bag holder having a guide track mounted to at least one of the front wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of the housing. A plurality of bag support arms are shiftably mounted to the guide track. The plurality of bag holders extend outward from the guide track and are adapted to support a plurality of bags for holding items scanned at the product scanning portion.

US Patent:

7621446, Nov 24, 2009

Filed:

Apr 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/401675

Inventors:

Danny H. Addison - Durham NC, US
Richard H. Harris - Raleigh NC, US
Robert A. Myers - Cary NC, US
Thomas J. Sluchak - Apex NC, US
Robert P. Tennant - Apex NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06K 15/00

US Classification:

235383, 705 16, 361683

Abstract:

A convertible self-checkout system includes a base and a stand rotatably mounted to the base. The stand includes an input/output device facing in a first direction and a product scanner, and the stand is positionable relative to the base in at least a first angular position and a second angular position. The input/output device is an interactive video display, and the interactive video display has a first mode corresponding to the first angular position and a second mode corresponding to the second angular position. A sensor determines an angular position of the stand relative to the base and communicates the angular position to the interactive video display. The stand further includes a video display facing in a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction.

US Patent:

D653667, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

May 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

29/391401

Inventors:

Brian William Wallace - Raleigh NC, US
John David Swansey - Durham NC, US
Robert Paul Tennant - Raleigh NC, US
Kathryn Marie Asad - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

Lenovo ( Singapore) Pte. Ltd. - Singapore

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14444

US Patent:

D673570, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

May 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

29/391397

Inventors:

Brian William Wallace - Raleigh NC, US
John David Swansey - Durham NC, US
Robert Paul Tennant - Raleigh NC, US
Kathryn Marie Asad - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. - Singapore

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14444

US Patent:

D673945, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

May 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

29/391399

Inventors:

Brian William Wallace - Raleigh NC, US
John David Swansey - Durham NC, US
Robert Paul Tennant - Raleigh NC, US
Kathryn Marie Asad - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. - Singapore

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14313, D14444

US Patent:

D673946, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

May 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

29/391400

Inventors:

Brian William Wallace - Raleigh NC, US
John David Swansey - Durham NC, US
Robert Paul Tennant - Raleigh NC, US
Kathryn Marie Asad - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. - Singapore

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14313, D14444