Patents by Inventor Lawrence Quinnell

Lawrence Quinnell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Apparatus and method for determining completion of a requested transaction in a vending machine
    Patent number: 7073683
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting and signaling whether a requested product is successfully vended is placed in a vending machine. The sensor determines whether a requested product passes through a defined “vend area” within a predetermined time interval after the customer's request for the product. If the product does pass through the vend area within the time interval, a successful transaction is signaled and the sensor is reset. However, if no signal is received within the time interval, a procedure to remedy the failed transaction is executed. This procedure includes refunding the customer's money, crediting the customer's next transaction, or vending a similar product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: Lawrence Quinnell, Andrew T. Fausak