Patents by Inventor Aaron H. Dobbins

Aaron H. Dobbins 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: 20240127658
    Abstract: A secure smart safe with a high speed validator configured to accept notes in an orderly stack and deposit them into a storage compartment within the safe in orderly stacks for easy retrieval by a cash in transit (CIT) guard. The storage compartment includes a carousel of cash cassettes each containing an orderly stack of validated notes. The arrangement of multiple cash cassettes around the rotatable carousel offer substantial banknote storage capacity in a tight vertical space designed to fit under a counter in a retail shop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Carullo, Aaron H. Dobbins, Luke M. Reilly, Bob M. Dobbins
  • Publication number: 20230343163
    Abstract: An item dispensing system includes one or more inventory drawers, at least one of the inventory drawers comprising one or more inventory tracks configured to hold items. At least a given one of the inventory tracks comprises a drive assembly comprising a motor and a sensor assembly affixed above a front of the given inventory track proximate an item drop region of the item dispensing system. The drive assembly is configured to controllably advance the items held in the given inventory track towards the item drop region, and the sensor assembly is configured to detect vending of items from the given inventory track to the item drop region using at least one light emitter and sensor. The item dispensing system also includes an item dispensing system controller configured to control the motor and monitor signals from the sensor to determine whether the given item has dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Marcus M. PeƱate, Thomas J. Carullo
  • Patent number: 11679170
    Abstract: A sanitizer is described which frames a payment media, such as a bill, a coin and a credit card, in an irradiation zone between narrowly spaced support walls having associated ultraviolet lamps arranged to irradiate the payment media for at least a predetermined minimum time period. In one approach a motorized transport transports the payment media to an entry point from which it falls into the irradiation zone. In another aspect, a gravity feed approach is employed to return the irradiated media item to a dispense zone. One application is to alleviate concern at a point of sale where customers and merchants are concerned about whether payment media may be carrying a dangerous virus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo
  • Patent number: 11486188
    Abstract: A secure enclosure is described which is designed to offer inventory management and tamper detection for the storage and removal of rolled coins and other valuable items. Within the secure enclosure a plurality of shelves are provided. Each shelf may have its own scale for the purpose of weighing the contents supported by its shelf. Each shelf may be designed for the storage of one particular denomination of rolled coin. Monitoring circuitry interfaces with the scales for the purpose of determining the quantity of rolls upon each shelf, and the possibility for an erroneous deposit or removal of rolls supported by a shelf or an improper access to other contents on the shelf. A further approach detects multiple types of rolls of coins utilizing a single scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, James M. Henry
  • Patent number: 11361634
    Abstract: Valuables transport bag tampering detection and controlled triggering of smoke dispenser in response to said detection. Additionally, techniques are addressed to pair a valuables transport bag with a user fob or user fobs in response to a pairing control signal from a supervisory fob. With a valuables transport bag having a zipper closure, techniques to issue proper zipper closure and detection of such closure are also addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, James M. Henry, Jeffrey D. Welder, Brian D. Stang
  • Publication number: 20220058905
    Abstract: Aspects of securely assigning new authorized users to networked equipment for the purposes of gaining entry into that equipment or accessing valuable data from that equipment are addressed. High security access key fobs are assigned to individual users and serve as proxies for their identities. A new user creation fob or other secure two-factor authentication method is used to verify the identity of a newly enrolled or newly modified user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Brian D. Stang, Scott Barnes
  • Patent number: 11193310
    Abstract: An electronic lock with an electronic sensing arrangement to accurately sense relative positions of a bolt which mechanically locks a door, such as a door of an electronic drop safe, and to also sense an electronically controlled plunger which locks the bolt in place. The arrangement provides a mechanism for sensing a variety of mechanical malfunctions, as well as, potential fraud or tampering situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, James Henry
  • Patent number: 11183036
    Abstract: A device designed to validate and transport paper currency in a protected fashion. While being transported, the device monitors for tampering or break-in attempts and subsequently generates warning notifications, or sounds an alarm depending on configuration and the type of tampering detected. The transport case provides end-to-end cash accountability from a location where a bill is inserted into the case, to the bank or cash destination, where the transport case is delivered. Additionally, a docking station accessory is described in which the transport case can be securely fixed while at a point of sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo
  • Publication number: 20210330832
    Abstract: A sanitizer is described which frames a payment media, such as a bill, a coin and a credit card, in an irradiation zone between narrowly spaced support walls having associated ultraviolet lamps arranged to irradiate the payment media for at least a predetermined minimum time period. In one approach a motorized transport transports the payment media to an entry point from which it falls into the irradiation zone. In another aspect, a gravity feed approach is employed to return the irradiated media item to a dispense zone. One application is to alleviate concern at a point of sale where customers and merchants are concerned about whether payment media may be carrying a dangerous virus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo
  • Publication number: 20210035421
    Abstract: Valuables transport bag tampering detection and controlled triggering of smoke dispenser in response to said detection. Additionally, techniques are addressed to pair a valuables transport bag with a user fob or user fobs in response to a pairing control signal from a supervisory fob. With a valuables transport bag having a zipper closure, techniques to issue proper zipper closure and detection of such closure are also addressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, James M. Henry, Jeffrey D. Welder, Brian D. Stang
  • Patent number: 10847002
    Abstract: Valuables transport bag tampering detection and controlled triggering of smoke dispenser in response to said detection. Additionally, techniques are addressed to pair a valuables transport bag with a user fob or user fobs in response to a pairing control signal from a supervisory fob. With a valuables transport bag having a zipper closure, techniques to issue proper zipper closure and detection of such closure are also addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, James M. Henry, Jeffrey D. Welder, Brian D. Stang
  • Publication number: 20200160675
    Abstract: A device designed to validate and transport paper currency in a protected fashion. While being transported, the device monitors for tampering or break-in attempts and subsequently generates warning notifications, or sounds an alarm depending on configuration and the type of tampering detected. The transport case provides end-to-end cash accountability from a location where a bill is inserted into the case, to the bank or cash destination, where the transport case is delivered. Additionally, a docking station accessory is described in which the transport case can be securely fixed while at a point of sale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo
  • Publication number: 20200157849
    Abstract: An electronic lock with an electronic sensing arrangement to accurately sense relative positions of a bolt which mechanically locks a door, such as a door of an electronic drop safe, and to also sense an electronically controlled plunger which locks the bolt in place. The arrangement provides a mechanism for sensing a variety of mechanical malfunctions, as well as, potential fraud or tampering situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, James Henry
  • Patent number: 10584515
    Abstract: An electronic lock with an electronic sensing arrangement to accurately sense relative positions of a bolt which mechanically locks a door, such as a door of an electronic drop safe, and to also sense an electronically controlled plunger which locks the bolt in place. The arrangement provides a mechanism for sensing a variety of mechanical malfunctions, as well as, potential fraud or tampering situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, James Henry
  • Publication number: 20200056418
    Abstract: A secure enclosure is described which is designed to offer inventory management and tamper detection for the storage and removal of rolled coins and other valuable items. Within the secure enclosure a plurality of shelves are provided. Each shelf may have its own scale for the purpose of weighing the contents supported by its shelf. Each shelf may be designed for the storage of one particular denomination of rolled coin. Monitoring circuitry interfaces with the scales for the purpose of determining the quantity of rolls upon each shelf, and the possibility for an erroneous deposit or removal of rolls supported by a shelf or an improper access to other contents on the shelf. A further approach detects multiple types of rolls of coins utilizing a single scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, James M. Henry
  • Publication number: 20200051409
    Abstract: Valuables transport bag tampering detection and controlled triggering of smoke dispenser in response to said detection. Additionally, techniques are addressed to pair a valuables transport bag with a user fob or user fobs in response to a pairing control signal from a supervisory fob. With a valuables transport bag having a zipper closure, techniques to issue proper zipper closure and detection of such closure are also addressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, James M. Henry, Jeffrey D. Welder, Brian D. Stang
  • Patent number: 10522010
    Abstract: A device designed to validate and transport paper currency in a protected fashion. While being transported, the device monitors for tampering or break-in attempts and subsequently generates warning notifications, or sounds an alarm depending on configuration and the type of tampering detected. The transport case provides end-to-end cash accountability from a location where a bill is inserted into the case, to the bank or cash destination, where the transport case is delivered. Additionally, a docking station accessory is described in which the transport case can be securely fixed while at a point of sale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo
  • Patent number: 10482733
    Abstract: Cash transport bag tampering detection and controlled triggering of smoke dispenser in response to said detection. Additionally, techniques are addressed to pair a cash transport bag with a user fob or user fobs in response to a pairing control signal from a supervisory fob. With a cash transport bag having a zipper closure, techniques to issue proper zipper closure and detection of such closure are also addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, James M. Henry, Jeffrey D. Welder, Brian D. Stang
  • Publication number: 20190156612
    Abstract: A smart vend motor is described which may be deployed in a standard snack and candy vending machine, a coin and bill dispensing machine, or the like. Each smart vending motor has a local smart control able to determine if its corresponding smart vending motor has been selected for energization from a signal sent to multiple vend motors. This smart controller can also control operation of multiple additional devices, such as LEDs to light products, consumer information displays, and product drop detectors. In some applications, vending of multiple vend motors at the same time is supported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Aaron H. Dobbins, Robert D. Ross, Scott Barnes
  • Patent number: 10244605
    Abstract: A battery powered LED light source is described for illuminating the inside of a dark enclosure when the enclosure is opened in an environment with ambient illumination. Drive circuitry adapted to the LED light source turns on the LEDs when levels of ambient light above a threshold are detected, which may occur if the light source is placed in a dark enclosure that is opened in a lit room. After being opened, the drive circuitry periodically strobes off the LED light source to take ambient light measurements without the contribution of its own LED light for determining if the enclosure has been closed and the LED light source should again be shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Aaron H. Dobbins