Patents by Inventor Dirk D. Heinen

Dirk D. Heinen 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: 10187494
    Abstract: Configuring and managing gateway devices. A gateway device may be installed at a location, such as a merchant location or home. The gateway device may manage (e.g., monitor and/or control) one or more devices at the location. For example, the gateway device may manage various fuel tank devices, point of sale devices, refrigeration devices, liquid dispensing devices, etc., at a convenience store. The gateway device may provide reported information to and receive commands from a cloud server, which may be in communication with other devices which may be used to view reported information of or control the managed devices. The cloud server may also be configured to install applications, e.g., for execution by the cloud server, the gateway device, and/or other devices. For example, the gateway device may install applications provided by the cloud server to manage the devices coupled to the gateway device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Acumera, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett B. Stewart, Dirk D. Heinen, Margo A. Baxter
  • Publication number: 20120278454
    Abstract: Configuring and managing gateway devices. A gateway device may be installed at a location, such as a merchant location or home. The gateway device may manage (e.g., monitor and/or control) one or more devices at the location. For example, the gateway device may manage various fuel tank devices, point of sale devices, refrigeration devices, liquid dispensing devices, etc., at a convenience store. The gateway device may provide reported information to and receive commands from a cloud server, which may be in communication with other devices which may be used to view reported information of or control the managed devices. The cloud server may also be configured to install applications, e.g., for execution by the cloud server, the gateway device, and/or other devices. For example, the gateway device may install applications provided by the cloud server to manage the devices coupled to the gateway device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Brett B. Stewart, Dirk D. Heinen, Margo a. Baxter
  • Patent number: 7724154
    Abstract: System and method for monitoring food storage bins. The system may include at least one food storage bin defining a volume usable to store food. Each food storage bin may also include at least one sensor usable to measure temperature within the volume. The system may include a transmitter/receiver operable to wirelessly transmit power to the at least one sensor and wirelessly receiver signals which include information regarding the temperature within the volume and/or the content of the food storage bin. The system may also include a controller coupled to the transmitter/receiver, operable to receive and/or determine information regarding the temperature, location, and/or content of the food storage bins via signals received from the transmitter/receiver. The controller may be operable to store the received information in a memory, e.g., comprised in or coupled to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Acumera, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett B. Stewart, Dirk D. Heinen
  • Publication number: 20080144697
    Abstract: System and method for monitoring food storage bins. The system may include at least one food storage bin defining a volume usable to store food. Each food storage bin may also include at least one sensor usable to measure temperature within the volume. The system may include a transmitter/receiver operable to wirelessly transmit power to the at least one sensor and wirelessly receiver signals which include information regarding the temperature within the volume and/or the content of the food storage bin. The system may also include a controller coupled to the transmitter/receiver, operable to receive and/or determine information regarding the temperature, location, and/or content of the food storage bins via signals received from the transmitter/receiver. The controller may be operable to store the received information in a memory, e.g., comprised in or coupled to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Brett B. Stewart, Dirk D. Heinen