Patents by Inventor David Birch

David Birch 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: 11551211
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system includes a commerce gateway. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established with the commerce gateway, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment account. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: STRIPE, INC.
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, Jr., David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Patent number: 11423400
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system includes a commerce gateway. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established with the commerce gateway, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment account. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: STRIPE, INC.
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, Jr., David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Publication number: 20220200517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cladding member comprising a solar power module, the solar power module encapsulated in a polymeric material and comprising a first surface arranged to be exposed to sunlight in use and an opposing surface affixed to a substrate. An electrical junction is configured to connect the solar power module to an electrical system for transfer of electrical power from the solar power module, the electrical junction located on the opposing surface of the solar power module adjacent the substrate. The substrate comprises a cavity facing the opposing surface of the solar power module, the cavity bounded by the substrate, and configured to accommodate and seal the electrical junction therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventor: James David Birch
  • Patent number: 10466082
    Abstract: A flow meter (1) comprising a sampling tube (3) through which fluid may flow and a sensor arrangement (9, 25, 27, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47), wherein the sampling tube (3) comprises a first hollow section (51, 53) having a first internal cross-sectional area (A1) and a second hollow section (55, 57) having a second internal cross-sectional area (A2) being less than the first internal cross-sectional area (A1); and the sensor arrangement (9, 25, 27, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47), is for measuring the difference between stagnation and static pressures (P01, P02, P1, P2) within the second hollow section (55, 57).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: University of Surrey
    Inventors: David Birch, Paul Nathan, Praveen Rampersad
  • Publication number: 20180259380
    Abstract: A flow meter (1) comprising a sampling tube (3) through which fluid may flow and a sensor arrangement (9, 25, 27, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47), wherein the sampling tube (3) comprises a first hollow section (51, 53) having a first internal cross-sectional area (A1) and a second hollow section (55, 57) having a second internal cross-sectional area (A2) being less than the first internal cross-sectional area (A1); and the sensor arrangement (9, 25, 27, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47), is for measuring the difference between stagnation and static pressures (P01, P02, P1, P2) within the second hollow section (55, 57).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: David Birch, Paul Nathan, Praveen Rampersad
  • Publication number: 20180121910
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system includes a commerce gateway. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established with the commerce gateway, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment account. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, JR., David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Patent number: 9928509
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork comprising a commerce gateway component and a credit processing server component (53) is disclosed. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway component, which in turn notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment card. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: CRIA INC.
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Patent number: 9864990
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system includes a commerce gateway. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established with the commerce gateway, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment account. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CRIA INC.
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Patent number: 9864989
    Abstract: A secure, closed virtual payment system comprising registered buyers and sellers for ordering and paying for goods, services, and content over an internetwork is disclosed. A buyer becomes registered by applying for a virtual payment account. A seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order goods, services, or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies a commerce gateway component (52), which, in turn, notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CRIA INC.
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Patent number: 8476691
    Abstract: A high voltage power semiconductor device includes high reliability-high voltage junction termination with a charge dissipation layer. An active device area is surrounded by a junction termination structure including one or more regions of a polarity opposite the substrate polarity. A tunneling oxide layer overlays the junction termination area surrounding the active device area in contact with the silicon substrate upper surface. A layer of undoped polysilicon overlays the tunneling oxide layer and spans the junction termination area, with connections to an outer edge of the junction termination structure and to a grounded electrode inside of the active area. The tunneling oxide layer has a thickness that permits hot carriers formed at substrate upper surface to pass through the tunneling oxide layer into the undoped polysilicon layer to be dissipated but sufficient to mitigate stacking faults at the silicon surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Dumitru Sdrulla, Duane Edward Levine, James M. Katana, Martin David Birch
  • Publication number: 20110289006
    Abstract: A secure, closed virtual payment system comprising registered buyers and sellers for ordering and paying for goods, services, and content over an internetwork is disclosed. A buyer becomes registered by applying for a virtual payment account. A seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order goods, services, or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies a commerce gateway component (52), which, in turn, notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ECHARGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Publication number: 20110276494
    Abstract: A secure, closed virtual payment system comprising registered buyers and sellers for ordering and paying for goods, services, and content over an internetwork is disclosed. A buyer becomes registered by applying for a virtual payment account. A seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order goods, services, or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies a commerce gateway component (52), which, in turn, notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: ECHARGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Publication number: 20110137801
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system includes a commerce gateway. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established with the commerce gateway, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment account. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ECHARGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Patent number: 7908226
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for ordering and paying for goods, services and content over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system comprises a commerce gateway component (52) and a credit processing server component (53). The virtual payment system is a secure, closed system comprising registered sellers and buyers. A buyer becomes a registered participant by applying for a virtual payment account. Likewise, a seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A buyer can instantly open an account on-line. That is, the credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's virtual payment card application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: eCharge Corporation
    Inventors: Robin B Hutchison, Robert J Llewellyn, Andre F Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M Begg
  • Publication number: 20100312708
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork comprising a commerce gateway component and a credit processing server component (53) is disclosed. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway component, which in turn notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment card. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: ECHARGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Publication number: 20100306081
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork comprising a commerce gateway component and a credit processing server component (53) is disclosed. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway component, which in turn notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment card. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ECHARGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Publication number: 20100274683
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork comprising a commerce gateway component and a credit processing server component (53) is disclosed. Buyers and sellers becomes registered participants by applying for virtual payment buyer and seller accounts. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. A buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies the commerce gateway component, which in turn notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account. The buyer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit account, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment card. A buyer may create sub-accounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: ECHARGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, Robert J. Llewellyn, Andre F. Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M. Begg
  • Patent number: 7761385
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for ordering and paying for goods, services and content over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system comprises a commerce gateway component (52) and a credit processing server component (53). The virtual payment system is a secure, closed system comprising registered sellers and buyers. A buyer becomes a registered participant by applying for a virtual payment account. Likewise, a seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A buyer can instantly open an account on-line. That is, the credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's virtual payment card application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: eCharge Corporation
    Inventors: Robin B Hutchison, Robert J Llewellyn, Andre F Viljoen, David Griffiths, David Birch, Iain M Begg
  • Publication number: 20100010916
    Abstract: A virtual payment system for ordering and paying for goods, services and content over an internetwork. The virtual system comprises a commerce gateway and a credit processing server. The virtual system is a secure closed system comprising registered merchants and consumers. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The consumer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a merchant and charge it to a virtual payment card. When the product is shipped, the merchant notifies the commerce gateway component, which in turn notifies the credit processing server which applies the charges to the consumer's virtual card account. The consumer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit card, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment card. A consumer may create sub-account that have additional limitations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: eCharge Corporation
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, George A. Fleming, Alan Chedalawada, Robert Llewellyn, David Griffiths, David Birch
  • Patent number: 7606760
    Abstract: A virtual payment card system for ordering and paying for goods, services and content over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment card system comprises a commerce gateway component (52) and a credit processing server component (53). The virtual payment card system is a secure closed system comprising registered merchants and consumers. A consumer becomes a registered participant by applying for a virtual payment card. Likewise, a merchant becomes registered by applying for a merchant account. A consumer can instantly open an account on-line. That is, the credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the consumer's virtual payment card application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The consumer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a merchant and charge it to the virtual payment card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: eCharge Corporation
    Inventors: Robin B. Hutchison, George A. Fleming, Alan Chedalawada, Robert Llewellyn, David Griffiths, David Birch