Patents by Inventor Timothy N. Sorenson

Timothy N. Sorenson 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).

  • Publication number: 20150170124
    Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, paper currency, credit, and/or debit, for Internet service and digital content. Such digital content can include, for example, online games and content for mobile phones. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. A user wishing to purchase Internet service, for example, can visit the value exchange machine, select the desired transaction, and pay for the Internet service with coins, paper currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine can issue a code to the user, for example, on a card enabling the user to obtain the Internet service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy N. Sorenson, Mark L. Evans
  • Patent number: 7331521
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for purchasing telephone calling card minutes and for conducting other forms of electronic commerce. In one embodiment, a method for conducting electronic commerce includes providing a kiosk in a publicly accessible location, and displaying one or more transaction options to a user at the kiosk. The method may further include receiving a transaction selection from the user corresponding to one or more of the displayed transaction options, determining an amount due from the user in response to the transaction selection, and receiving funds from the user. In response to receiving the funds, the kiosk may dispense a redeemable voucher to the user, including a redeemable voucher for any amount paid in excess of the amount due.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Coinstar E-Payment Services Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy N. Sorenson, Michael J. Boyle
  • Patent number: 7014108
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for purchasing telephone calling card minutes and for conducting other forms of electronic commerce. In one embodiment, a method for conducting electronic commerce includes providing a kiosk in a publicly accessible location, and displaying one or more transaction options to a user at the kiosk. The method may further include receiving a transaction selection from the user corresponding to one or more of the displayed transaction options, determining an amount due from the user in response to the transaction selection, and receiving funds from the user. In response to receiving the funds, the kiosk may dispense a redeemable voucher to the user, including a redeemable voucher for any amount paid in excess of the amount due.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Coinstar E-Payment Services Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy N. Sorenson, Michael J. Boyle
  • Publication number: 20040031847
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for purchasing telephone calling card minutes and for conducting other forms of electronic commerce. In one embodiment, a method for conducting electronic commerce includes providing a kiosk in a publicly accessible location, and displaying one or more transaction options to a user at the kiosk. The method may further include receiving a transaction selection from the user corresponding to one or more of the displayed transaction options, determining an amount due from the user in response to the transaction selection, and receiving funds from the user. In response to receiving the funds, the kiosk may dispense a redeemable voucher to the user, including a redeemable voucher for any amount paid in excess of the amount due.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy N. Sorenson, Michael J. Boyle