{
  "patent_number": "US 10559047",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Mobile Devices Use Tags to Close Restaurant Checks",
  "original_title": "Systems and methods for facilitating closing of a check",
  "summary": "A system for restaurant servers to open and close customer tabs by tapping a mobile device against a physical tag at a table.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a method where a server uses a portable device to interact with a physical tag, such as an NFC chip or QR code, located at a customer's table. By performing an action like tapping or scanning the tag, the server's device receives a unique location identifier that links a digital check to that specific table. To close the check, the server performs the same action again; the system recognizes the location, closes the tab, and transmits the final bill to a payment-processing device. This automates the process of tracking which check belongs to which table without manual input.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover systems that rely on manual table number entry instead of a physical tag.",
    "Does not cover payment processing that happens directly on the server's device without transmitting to a second device.",
    "Does not cover location tracking via GPS or beacon triangulation that does not involve a specific physical tag at the location."
  ],
  "filed": "2017-07-13",
  "granted": "2020-02-11",
  "expires": "2037-07-13",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "NCR Corp",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/ncr-corp",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "James Lee Fortuna",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/james-lee-fortuna"
    },
    {
      "name": "James A. Cloin",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/james-a-cloin"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 1,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "software",
    "ecommerce"
  ],
  "abstract": "Various methods are described for facilitating closing and payment of a check. One example method may comprise performing an action with a mobile device proximate a physical location associated with the check. The method may further comprise receiving in response a location identifier associated with the physical location. Additionally, the method may comprise determining the check to be closed based at least in part on the location identifier. Another example method may comprise performing an action with a mobile device proximate a folio device. The method may further comprise receiving in response a folio device identifier associated with the folio device. Additionally, the method may comprise providing for transmission of the check information to the folio device based at least in part on the folio device identifier. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10559047/systems-and-methods-for-facilitating-closing-of-a-check",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10559047/systems-and-methods-for-facilitating-closing-of-a-check/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US10559047",
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}