Patents by Inventor Gary I. Shellabarger

Gary I. Shellabarger 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: 7689371
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for collecting and communicating temperature and volume data directly from a dispenser for use during a book to physical reconciliation process. The temperature and volume readings can be received directly from a dispenser by at least one of a retail system and a central inventory management system. The method can include collecting flow data indicative of a volume of a liquid product dispensed from the dispenser at a plurality of times during a defined time interval and collecting temperature data indicative of a temperature of the liquid product dispensed from the dispenser at the plurality of times during the defined interval. Once collected, the temperature data and the flow data can be transmitted to at least one of a retail system and a central inventory management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Flying J, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Memmott, John D. Hillam, Gary I. Shellabarger
  • Patent number: 7574385
    Abstract: Disclosed is methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring and reporting liquid product dispenser transaction states for book to physical reconciliation purposes. The method can provide virtual real-time status of sales transactions in order to perform liquid product fuel reconciliation regardless of ongoing sales. The method can include receiving a request to perform the liquid product book to physical reconciliation for one or more storage tanks at a retail facility. Once the requested is received, the method can entail identifying a duration for accumulation of measurement data used for the reconciliation and during the identified duration, monitoring the status of one or more dispensers that dispense liquid product from the one or more storage tanks. Based on the status of the one or more dispensers, the method can include updating either a physical inventory or a book value to appropriately determine the book to physical reconciliation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Flying J, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hillam, Gary I. Shellabarger
  • Patent number: 7546256
    Abstract: Disclosed is a virtual real-time liquid product book to physical reconciliation process within a dynamic environment. The method can include receiving a request to perform a liquid product book to physical reconciliation process for one or more storage tanks at a retail facility. Once received, the status of one or more liquid product dispensers corresponding to the one or more storage tanks can be identified. A plurality of measurements can be made while the one or more liquid product dispensers are in an active state and dispensing the liquid product. With the data indicative of the plurality of measurements, the method can automatically perform the liquid product book to physical reconciliation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Flying J, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hillam, Jon M. Scoleri, Gary I. Shellabarger
  • Patent number: 7346427
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for collecting liquid product volume data at a dispenser. The dispenser can include first and second totalizers that receive signals from a pulser that identifies the flow rate of liquid product dispensed from the dispenser. The dispenser further includes a data acquisition unit communicating with at least the second totalizer, the data acquisition unit receives data indicative of a volume of the liquid product dispensed from the dispenser from the second totalizer. The method can include receiving a plurality of pulses at a first totalizer and a second totalizer within the dispenser. Upon receiving the pulses, the method includes generating data indicative of a volume of liquid product flowing from the dispenser. Following generating the data, the method can include sending the data corresponding to the second totalizer to at least one of a retail system and a central inventory management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Flymg J, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hillam, Gary I. Shellabarger
  • Patent number: 7181361
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for collecting and communicating temperature and volume data directly from a dispenser for use during a book to physical reconciliation process. The temperature and volume readings can be received directly from a dispenser by at least one of a retail system and a central inventory management system. The method can include collecting flow data indicative of a volume of a liquid product dispensed from the dispenser at a plurality of times during a defined time interval and collecting temperature data indicative of a temperature of the liquid product dispensed from the dispenser at the plurality of times during the defined interval. Once collected, the temperature data and the flow data can be transmitted to at least one of a retail system and a central inventory management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Flying J, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Memmott, John D. Hillam, Gary I. Shellabarger