Patents by Inventor Paul L. Mason
Paul L. Mason 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).
-
Patent number: 9816673Abstract: A vending machine includes a controller with an interface to control vending machine peripherals including an integrated LED lamp assembly having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a DC power connector to connect to a source of DC power within the vending machine. A power regulating circuit adjustably controls the amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to vending machine control signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Louis J. Frontino, Philip Rene Reger, Paul L. Mason
-
Publication number: 20170138544Abstract: A vending machine includes a controller with an interface to control vending machine peripherals including an integrated LED lamp assembly having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a DC power connector to connect to a source of DC power within the vending machine. A power regulating circuit adjustably controls the amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to vending machine control signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Louis J. Frontino, Philip Rene Reger, Paul L. Mason
-
Patent number: 9593811Abstract: A retrofit LED lamp assembly and retrofitting method for use in a vending machine. The retrofit LED assembly having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a power connector adapted to connect to a source of power within a vending machine. A power regulating circuit adjustably controls the amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to control signals received by a communication circuit in the lamp assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Louis J. Frontino, Philip R. Reger, Paul L. Mason
-
Publication number: 20160076707Abstract: A vending machine includes a controller with an interface to control vending machine peripherals including an integrated LED lamp assembly having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a DC power connector to connect to a source of DC power within the vending machine. A power regulating circuit adjustably controls the amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to vending machine standard control signals received from the vending machine via a communication circuit compatible with the vending machine controller interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INCInventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Louis J. Frontino, Philip R. Reger, Paul L. Mason
-
Publication number: 20150181673Abstract: A vending machine includes a controller with an interface to control vending machine peripherals including an integrated LED lamp assembly having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a DC power connector to connect to a source of DC power within the vending machine. A power regulating circuit adjustably controls the amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to vending machine standard control signals received from the vending machine via a communication circuit compatible with the vending machine controller interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INCInventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Louis J. Frontino, Philip R. Reger, Paul L. Mason
-
Patent number: 8905579Abstract: A vending machine includes a controller with an interface to control vending machine peripherals including an integrated LED lamp assembly having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a DC power connector to connect to a source of DC power within the vending machine. A power regulating circuit adjustably controls the amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to vending machine standard control signals received from the vending machine via a communication circuit compatible with the vending machine controller interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Louis J. Frontino, Philip R. Reger, Paul L. Mason
-
Patent number: 8003931Abstract: A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Automated Mechandising Systems, Inc.Inventors: Paul L. Mason, David A. Sprankle
-
Patent number: 7988015Abstract: A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Automated Merchandising Systems Inc.Inventors: Paul L. Mason, II, David A. Sprankle
-
Publication number: 20090261236Abstract: A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: Automated Merchandising Systems Inc.Inventors: Paul L. Mason, David A. Sprankle
-
Patent number: 7446302Abstract: A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Automated Merchandising Systems, Inc.Inventors: Paul L. Mason, David A. Sprankle
-
Publication number: 20080094837Abstract: The present invention is an efficient, long life alternative to conventional vending machine fluorescent lamp light sources that provides added control capabilities. More specifically, the present invention provides reduced energy use, improved safety, extended life, and allows attention-getting use of the machine lighting.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Louis J. Frontino, Philip R. Reger, Paul L. Mason
-
Patent number: 7246719Abstract: A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Automated Merchandising Systems Inc.Inventors: Paul L. Mason, II, David A. Sprankle
-
Patent number: 6708079Abstract: An optical vend-sensing system for reliably detecting the dispensing of an article, is presented. The system includes two parallel reflecting surfaces, each mounted at opposite sides of a vend space through which the article falls upon selection by a consumer. An emitter generates an optical beam which is reflected off each of the reflecting surfaces such that the reflected beam traverses across the vend space. A detector senses the reflected beam and communicates with a machine control unit. In response to the detector sensing that the reflected beam has been interrupted, the machine control unit terminates the vending operations of a mechanism controlling the dispensing of the article.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Automated Merchandising SystemsInventor: Paul L. Mason, II
-
Publication number: 20020179620Abstract: An optical vend-sensing system for reliably detecting the dispensing of an article, is presented. The system includes two parallel reflecting surfaces, each mounted at opposite sides of a vend space through which the article falls upon selection by a consumer. An emitter generates an optical beam which is reflected off each of the reflecting surfaces such that the reflected beam traverses across the vend space. A detector senses the reflected beam and communicates with a machine control unit. In response to the detector sensing that the reflected beam has been interrupted, the machine control unit terminates the vending operations of a mechanism controlling the dispensing of the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventor: Paul L. Mason