Patents Assigned to Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10133385
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing display for imaging documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for manual interaction with images on the display. A computer controls the transaction, and may for instance, control the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receive the purchaser's signature on the displayed documents when required, offer choices of various packages that can be accepted or declined by the purchaser, and insures that the entire transaction is carried out properly. The ECDU logs the transaction for future review and preferably records video and audio. Fingerprint readers allow participants to select between options by pressing their thumb or finger on the readers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Maloney, Mark A. Singleton
  • Patent number: 9235276
    Abstract: A transaction automation and archival system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing video display for imaging the various documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for allowing participants to sign, indicate choices, and otherwise interact directly on documents and images presented on the display. A computer controls the progress of the transaction, controlling, for example, the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receiving signatures on the displayed documents, offering choices of various packages to the purchaser, and insuring that the transaction is carried out properly. The transaction is logged for future review which may include a video record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Maloney, Mark A. Singleton
  • Patent number: 9081423
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing display for imaging documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for manual interaction with images on the display. A computer controls the transaction, and may for instance, control the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receive the purchaser's signature on the displayed documents when required, offer choices of various packages that can be accepted or declined by the purchaser, and insures that the entire transaction is carried out properly. The ECDU logs the transaction for future review and preferably records video and audio. Fingerprint readers allow participants to select between options by pressing their thumb or finger on the readers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Maloney, Mark A. Singleton
  • Patent number: 8933904
    Abstract: A transaction automation and archival system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing video display for imaging the various documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for allowing participants to sign, indicate choices, and otherwise interact directly on documents and images presented on the display. A computer controls the progress of the transaction, controlling, for example, the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receiving signatures on the displayed documents, offering choices of various packages to the purchaser, and insuring that the transaction is carried out properly. The transaction is logged for future review which may include a video record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Maloney, Mark A. Singleton
  • Patent number: 8854330
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing display for imaging documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for manual interaction with images on the display. A computer controls the transaction, and may for instance, control the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receive the purchaser's signature on the displayed documents when required, offer choices of various packages that can be accepted or declined by the purchaser, and insures that the entire transaction is carried out properly. The ECDU logs the transaction for future review and preferably records video and audio. Fingerprint readers allow participants to select between options by pressing their thumb or finger on the readers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Maloney, Mark A. Singleton
  • Publication number: 20140168178
    Abstract: A transaction automation and archival system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing video display for imaging the various documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for allowing participants to sign, indicate choices, and otherwise interact directly on documents and images presented on the display. A computer controls the progress of the transaction, controlling, for example, the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receiving signatures on the displayed documents, offering choices of various packages to the purchaser, and insuring that the transaction is carried out properly. The transaction is logged for future review which may include a video record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Reynold & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Maloney, Mark A. Singleton
  • Patent number: 8547356
    Abstract: A transaction automation and archival system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing video display for imaging to the various documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for allowing participants to sign, indicate choices, and otherwise interact directly on documents and images presented on the display. A computer controls the progress of the transaction, controlling, for example, the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receiving signatures on the displayed documents, offering choices of various packages to the purchaser, and insuring that the transaction is carried out properly. The transaction is logged for future review which may include a video record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Maloney, Mark A. Singleton
  • Patent number: 8531424
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing display for imaging documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for manual interaction with images on the display. A computer controls the transaction, and may for instance, control the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receive the purchaser's signature on the displayed documents when required, offer choices of various packages that can be accepted or declined by the purchaser, and insures that the entire transaction is carried out properly. The ECDU logs the transaction for future review and preferably records video and audio. Fingerprint readers allow participants to select between options by pressing their thumb or finger on the readers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Maloney, Mark A. Singleton
  • Patent number: 8474165
    Abstract: A form assembly for removably attaching a form to a surface includes a form including a page, the page including a body, a first detachable stub attached to a first edge of the body by a first detachment line and a second detachable stub attached to a second edge of the body opposite the first edge by a second detachment line. The form also includes a first adhesive label including a lite-tac adhesive, attached to the first detachable stub by the lite-tac adhesive, where the lite-tac adhesive does not overlap the first detachment line, and a second adhesive label including a lite-tac adhesive, attached to the second detachable stub by the lite-tac adhesive, where the lite-tac adhesive does not overlap the second detachment line. The lite-tac adhesive of the first adhesive label and the lite-tac adhesive of the second adhesive label can removably secure the form assembly to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Agostino S. Hill, Richard E. Ipsen
  • Patent number: 7610379
    Abstract: The present invention, sometimes called Enterlink Conductor, provides a new approach to sharing public processes while maintaining specified controls for separation and security between process participants in a federated system with state that interconnects applications of multiple companies. The Enterlink Conductor comprises a process engine that executes compound processes, a compound process repository that stores compound processes, a process engine user interface to monitor and manage the process engine, a conductor engine that controls the operation of the process engine, a conductor repository that stores participant objects and relationship objects; and a conductor user interface to monitor and manage the conductor engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H Hellbusch, Girish U Balsavar
  • Patent number: 7283972
    Abstract: A customer data capture system integrated with a dealership data management system allows customer and vehicle maintenance data to be exchanged between a kiosk on the floor of the dealership and the data management system. The customer inserts a customized card into a kiosk, and interacts with the pre-programmed software on the kiosk. The software recommends scheduled maintenance services and suggests potential coupon savings, based on the information received from the customer's card and the information stored in the data management system. A service order is generated and routed to the service department. As a result, the accuracy and speed of entering customer data are enhanced, while the dealership is able to offer value-added services at the point of sale, thus enhancing the dealership's business relationship with the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Himes
  • Patent number: 7249052
    Abstract: A customer data capture system integrated with a dealership data management system allows customer and vehicle maintenance data to be exchanged between the data management system and a device, such as a PC, handheld device, or kiosk, which may communicate over an Internet or other connection. In an embodiment, the customer inserts a customized card into a kiosk on the floor of a dealership and interacts with pre-programmed software on the kiosk. The software recommends scheduled maintenance services and suggests potential coupon savings, based on the information received from the customer's card and the information stored in the data management system. A service order is generated and routed to the service department. As a result, the accuracy and speed of entering customer data are enhanced, while the dealership is able to offer value-added services at the point of sale, thus enhancing the dealership's business relationship with the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Himes
  • Patent number: 7249322
    Abstract: The present invention provides for the first time, an integrated software application architecture with all functions required by an automobile dealership, including sales, F&I (finance and insurance), accounting, HR (Human Resources)/payroll, parts, service, and E2 core (including functions in customer management, vehicle management, activity/processors, roles, user/departments, security, user interface, reports, printing, and instant messaging), together with e-business enablers, supply chain integration, and a dealer communication system. The present invention also provides relational databases, GUI's (graphical user interfaces, that is, browser based application program interfaces). The present invention also may be implemented by an operations center with a Microsoft Windows NT server providing local Ethernet or other electronic connections to several multiple remote stores for the operator, and is scalable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn A Jones, Patrick H Caruso, Dorothy B Thompson, Mark A Guisinger, Christopher M Scott, Lawrence J Deters, Parrish Hanna, Steven P. Gaeke, James C Adkins, Macarthur Kammeron, Michael S Gokey, Wiilliam E Jamison, Edward J Wasser, Paul J. Militello
  • Patent number: 7231433
    Abstract: The present invention, sometimes called Enterlink, for the first time provides a federated system with state that interconnects applications of multiple companies. The Enterlink connects participant companies and applications, through the Enterlink bus, with each other and with consolidated data stores, third party services, core services, public process applications, and private process applications. The Enterlink bus uses, for the first time, metachannels, a metachannel engine and a metachannel repository Connectors connect the Enterlink public process applications and the company private I process applications with the bus. The invention can be applied to the automotive retail industry, among others. The Enterlink applications, core applications, and bus, may be operated as a service to company participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Hellbusch, Bryon K. Propst, Girish U. Balsavar, Robert G. Schaefer, Harsh Wardhan
  • Patent number: 7113127
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle. The wireless appliance includes a microprocessor configured to select a vehicle-communication protocol of a host vehicle, and then communicate with the host vehicle through the vehicle-communication protocol. The appliance also includes a vehicle-communication circuit, in electrical communication with the microprocessor, which collects diagnostic data from the host vehicle using the vehicle-communication protocol. A GPS module, also in electrical communication with the microprocessor, generates location-based data. For transmitting these data, the appliance includes a first wireless transmitter operating on a terrestrial network and a second wireless transmitter operating on a satellite network. The microprocessor selects the first or second wireless transmitter for transmitting the diagnostic and location-based data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Banet, Larkin Lowrey, Paul Washicko, Michael O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7089588
    Abstract: Delivery components allow data read, write or operation requests and data responses to pass between a client software application and access components. Each delivery component is developed specifically for each client application. Furthermore, data views (that is, sets of mapping and stored procedures) receive data read. write or operation requests and construct responses, and allow data responses to pass to system domain server components from a target database that is not compatible with the client application. Each set of data views is developed specifically for each target database, and provides virtual compatibility for each target database with each client application. The delivery components and the data views together allow the client application to access the incompatible database through the access components and system domain server components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Reynolds and Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Schaefer, Harsh Wardhan
  • Patent number: 7016854
    Abstract: A customer data capture system integrated with a dealership data management system allows customer and vehicle maintenance data to be exchanged between a kiosk on the floor of the dealership and the data management system. The customer inserts a customized card into a kiosk, and interacts with the pre-programmed software on the kiosk. The software recommends scheduled maintenance services and suggests potential coupon savings, based on the information received from the customer's card and the information stored in the data management system. A service order is generated and routed to the service department. As a result, the accuracy and speed of entering customer data are enhanced, while the dealership is able to offer value-added services at the point of sale, thus enhancing the dealership's business relationship with the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Himes
  • Patent number: 6988033
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for characterizing a vehicle's fuel efficiency and amount of fuel consumed. The method features the steps of: 1) generating a data set from the vehicle that includes vehicle speed, odometer calculation, engine speed, load, mass air flow; 2) transferring the data set to a wireless appliance that includes i) a microprocessor, and ii) a wireless transmitter in electrical contact with the microprocessor; 3) transmitting a data packet comprising the data set or a version thereof with the wireless transmitter over an airlink to a host computer system; and 4) analyzing the data set with the host computer system to determine a status of the vehicle's fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Bruce Lightner, Matthew J. Banet, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers, Jim Cowart
  • Patent number: 6957133
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wireless appliance for monitoring a vehicle. In an embodiment, the appliance includes: (1) a microprocessor; (2) a vehicle-communication circuit; (3) a GPS module; and (4) a wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter receives and transmits location-based data generated by the GPS module and diagnostic data collected by the vehicle-communication circuit. The vehicle-communication circuit is integrated into a single ASIC that includes modules for managing different vehicle-communication protocols, such as, for example, J1850 PWM, J1850 VPWM, ISO 9141-2, CAN, Keyword 2000, and J170S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hunt, Larkin Lowrey, Matthew Banet
  • Patent number: 6928348
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for characterizing a vehicle's emissions. These systems feature the steps of generating a data set from the vehicle that includes at least one of the following: diagnostic trouble codes, status of a MIL, and data relating to I/M readiness flags; and then transferring the data set to a wireless appliance that features a microprocessor and a wireless transmitter in electrical contact with the microprocessor. The wireless appliance then transmits a data packet comprising the data set (or a version of the data set) with the wireless transmitter over an airlink to a wireless communication system. Here, ‘a version of the data set’ means a representation (e.g., a binary representation) of data in the data set, or data calculated or related to data in the data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Reynolds & Reynolds Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Lightner, Matthew J. Banet, Diego Borrego, Larkin Hill Lowrey, Chuck Myers