Patents by Inventor Bob M. Dobbins
Bob M. 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).
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Publication number: 20160210801Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing an improved electronic safe are described. An electronic safe is provided with both a drop safe mode of operation in which cash is determined to be acceptable by a bill acceptor or validator and then stacked in a cash storage device internal to the safe, and an acceptability test mode in which cash is tested for acceptability and then returned to a user with an indication of the outcome of that test.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2015Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INCInventor: Bob M. Dobbins
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Publication number: 20160110939Abstract: A locking system for safes is described. An electronic lock is described having an electronic actuator mounted independent of a door of the safe. Power is delivered to the electronic actuator by a door independent power delivery system so that no battery is required in the door, no electrical wires go to the door and no other power arrangement is needed to provide power to the door. The electronic activator when activated interacts with a door mounted mechanical feature, such as passing through a lock tongue hole, and then engage a lock clearance hole or slot which is also mounted independently of the safe door. This approach allows one safe design employing an electronic lock to be used with a different door to include a further mechanical lock to provide a two lock approach or a single door with an unlocked handle where two different locks are not desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo
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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
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Publication number: 20160035173Abstract: A readily reconfigureable cash dispensing system for providing change, such as coins of different values and bills or currency of different denominations needed by a retail store, grocery store, busy convenience store, or the like. A tray or trays for storing and delivering multiple rolls of coins or bills of a first value, as well as, a tray or trays for storing and delivering stacks of bills are described herein. A bill acceptor may be employed to accept bills used to purchase rolls of coins and stacks of bills, and a system controller can sense restocking and dispensing events to maintain an accurate inventory of cash in the bill acceptor, as well as, the total cash stored in the form of coin rolls or rolls bills, as well as, bill stacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Philip Rene Reger, Scott Barnes, Thomas Carullo
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Patent number: 9142079Abstract: A readily reconfigurable cash dispensing system for providing change, such as coins of different values and bills or currency of different denominations needed by a retail store, grocery store, busy convenience store, or the like. A tray or trays for storing and delivering multiple rolls of coins or bills of a first value, as well as, a tray or trays for storing and delivering stacks of bills are described herein. A bill acceptor may be employed to accept bills used to purchase rolls of coins and stacks of bills, and a system controller can sense restocking and dispensing events to maintain an accurate inventory of cash in the bill acceptor, as well as, the total cash stored in the form of coin rolls or rolls bills, as well as, bill stacks.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Philip Rene Reger, Scott Barnes, Thomas Carullo
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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
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Publication number: 20140368343Abstract: A device designed to transport paper currency in a protected fashion. While being transported, the device monitors for tampering or break-in attempts and subsequently generates warning notifications, devalues currency with indelible ink, or sounds an alarm depending on configuration and the type of tampering detected. Further, techniques are described for transferring indelible ink efficiently and reliably to a cash compartment area of the transport case.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo, Robert D. Ross
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Publication number: 20140368345Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Aaron H. Dobbins, Bob M. Dobbins, Thomas Carullo
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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
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Publication number: 20140305767Abstract: A readily reconfigurable cash dispensing system for providing change, such as coins of different values and bills or currency of different denominations needed by a retail store, grocery store, busy convenience store, or the like. A tray or trays for storing and delivering multiple rolls of coins or bills of a first value, as well as, a tray or trays for storing and delivering stacks of bills are described herein. A bill acceptor may be employed to accept bills used to purchase rolls of coins and stacks of bills, and a system controller can sense restocking and dispensing events to maintain an accurate inventory of cash in the bill acceptor, as well as, the total cash stored in the form of coin rolls or rolls bills, as well as, bill stacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Philip Rene Reger, Scott Barnes, Thomas Carullo
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Patent number: 8770372Abstract: A readily reconfigureable cash dispensing system for providing change, such as coins of different values and bills or currency of different denominations needed by a retail store, grocery store, busy convenience store, or the like. A tray or trays for storing and delivering multiple rolls of coins or bills of a first value, as well as, a tray or trays for storing and delivering stacks of bills are described herein. A bill acceptor may be employed to accept bills used to purchase rolls of coins and stacks of bills, and a system controller can sense restocking and dispensing events to maintain an accurate inventory of cash in the bill acceptor, as well as, the total cash stored in the form of coin rolls or rolls bills, as well as, bill stacks.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Philip Rene Reger, Scott Barnes, Thomas Carullo
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Publication number: 20110279225Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing an improved electronic safe are described. In one aspect, an electronic safe is provided with enhanced security, increased functionality and ease of use. The electronic safe may contain a camera, proximity sensor, vibration sensor and other sensors to sense and identify users. A wireless tag may be used to identify the person making deposits or also personnel making a cash pickup. The security is further enhanced by ensuring the power cannot be removed to the safe by having an internal battery backup power source and management electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INCInventors: Louis J. Frontino, Bob M. Dobbins
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Publication number: 20110011927Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing an improved electronic safe are described. In one aspect, an electronic safe is provided with enhanced security, increased functionality and ease of use. The electronic safe may accept both cash and non-cash deposits, identifying tags and envelopes or folders. A wireless tag may be used to identify the person making deposits. A plurality of electronic safes may be networked together in a wireless local area network. The wireless local area network of electronic safes may be wirelessly networked with an off site host system. In another aspect, an electronic safe is provided with a wireless communications link for communicating with a handheld terminal which may be used to update the electronic safe and initiate the generation of automatic reports. In another aspect, an electronic safe automatically generates reports detailing the operation of the safe. The electronic safe may predict the time when a cassette for storing deposits will be full.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Bob M. Dobbins
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Patent number: 7779983Abstract: A two door electronic safe is described wherein a bill acceptor, as well as other electronic control circuitry, and a banknote canister are partitioned in first and second compartments with access by first and second access doors, respectively, so that a service call can be made to service the bill acceptor or other electronics without having to allow access to the banknote canister thereby facilitating service calls and allowing the separation of the service call function from the cash collection function.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Bob M. Dobbins
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Publication number: 20090166152Abstract: A two door electronic safe is described wherein a bill acceptor, as well as other electronic control circuitry, and a banknote canister are partitioned in first and second compartments with access by first and second access doors, respectively, so that a service call can be made to service the bill acceptor or other electronics without having to allow access to the banknote canister thereby facilitating service calls and allowing the separation of the service call function from the cash collection function.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Bob M. Dobbins
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Patent number: 7516832Abstract: A two door electronic safe is described wherein a bill acceptor, as well as other electronic control circuitry, and a banknote canister are partitioned in first and second compartments with access by first and second access doors, respectively, so that a service call can be made to service the bill acceptor or other electronics without having to allow access to the banknote canister thereby facilitating service calls and allowing the separation of the service call function from the cash collection function.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Bob M. Dobbins
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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
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Patent number: 6929110Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing an improved coin acceptor are described. In one aspect, an electronic coin acceptor exaggerates relatively small differences in coin diameters. A coin deposited into the coin acceptor passes along a coin path through two sensing beams, with at least one of the beams positioned at a nonperpendicular angle to the coin path. Timing information relating to the coin's passage through the beams is recorded and utilized to identify the coin. In another aspect, the thickness of the coin is determined as the coin passes through the sensing beams.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Ellenby Technologies Inc.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Christian F. Dungan, Aaron H. Dobbins
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Publication number: 20040046018Abstract: An electronic lock system which allows unattended dispensing of user determined key codes is described. These user determined key codes are then utilized by the user to gain access to a particular room or area. In one aspect of the present invention, a secure lock system for providing user access to an area includes a terminal interfacing with a user and receiving a user determined key code from the user. An access locking device blocks access to the area, but after the user inputs the user determined key code to the access locking device the access device unlocks and provides access to the area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Bob M. Dobbins
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Publication number: 20040045788Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing an improved coin acceptor are described. In one aspect, an electronic coin acceptor exaggerates relatively small differences in coin diameters. A coin deposited into the coin acceptor passes along a coin path through two sensing beams, with at least one of the beams positioned at a nonperpendicular angle to the coin path. Timing information relating to the coin's passage through the beams is recorded and utilized to identify the coin. In another aspect, the thickness of the coin is determined as the coin passes through the sensing beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Ellenby Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Christian F. Dungan, Aaron H. Dobbins