Patents by Inventor Mark A. Bullock

Mark A. Bullock 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: 12285141
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems, dispensers, refill units, methods for autonomously updating firmware and/or software in dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a dispenser housing, an object sensor, a near field communications reader, a power source, a processor and a memory. First logic is stored in the memory for controlling the dispenser. The first logic does not enable the object sensor. The system includes a refill unit having a container, a near field communications tag and a software or firmware update stored on the near field communications tag. The software or firmware update comprises second logic for updating the first logic stored in the memory for controlling the dispenser and wherein the second logic enables the object sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelby Jay Buell, Mark A. Bullock
  • Patent number: 11930970
    Abstract: Exemplary power systems for dynamically controlling a dispenser drive motor for dispensing soap, sanitizing or lotion. An exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion, a container of soap, sanitizing or lotion and a pump secured to the container. The exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a power source, a motor and an actuator that couples the motor to the pump. In addition, the exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. Movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of soap, sanitizing or lotion. The pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Mark A. Bullock, Chip W. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20230355043
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems, dispensers, refill units, methods for autonomously updating firmware and/or software in dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a dispenser housing, an object sensor, a near field communications reader, a power source, a processor and a memory. First logic is stored in the memory for controlling the dispenser. The first logic does not enable the object sensor. The system includes a refill unit having a container, a near field communications tag and a software or firmware update stored on the near field communications tag. The software or firmware update comprises second logic for updating the first logic stored in the memory for controlling the dispenser and wherein the second logic enables the object sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Shelby Jay Buell, Mark A. Bullock
  • Patent number: 11737610
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems, dispensers, refill units, methods for autonomously updating firmware and/or software in dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a processor, dispenser memory, firmware for controlling one or more operations of the dispenser and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. A reader for reading information from a near field communication tag is also included. The refill unit includes a near field communication tag secured thereto. Memory is located on the near field communications tag. Data stored on the memory. The data contains firmware update instructions. When the refill unit is installed in the receptacle, the reader reads the data. The processor causes the dispenser firmware to be updated by the firmware update instructions read from the near field communications tag on the refill unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelby Jay Buell, Mark A. Bullock
  • Patent number: 11612277
    Abstract: An exemplary touch-free soap, sanitizer or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a movable cover, a processor, memory, a refill receptacle for receiving a refill container of fluid, and a variable output control card receptacle. The variable output control card receptacle is located proximate the refill receptacle such that when a refill unit is inserted in the refill receptacle, a variable output control card cannot be inserted or removed from the variable output control card receptacle. The dispenser further includes a reader for placing the processor in circuit communication with a variable output control card and in circuit communication with a refill unit data tag. In addition, the dispenser includes a sensor for sensing an object, a variable output control card and a removable and replaceable refill unit. The data tag is secured to the refill unit and the VOC card includes data on the variable output control card for setting the dispenser output volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelby J. Buell, Mark A. Bullock
  • Publication number: 20230081854
    Abstract: Exemplary power systems for dynamically controlling a dispenser drive motor for dispensing soap, sanitizing or lotion. An exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion, a container of soap, sanitizing or lotion and a pump secured to the container. The exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a power source, a motor and an actuator that couples the motor to the pump. In addition, the exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. Movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of soap, sanitizing or lotion. The pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Mark A. Bullock, Chip W. Curtis
  • Patent number: 11596271
    Abstract: Exemplary power systems for dynamically controlling a dispenser drive motor for dispensing soap, sanitizing or lotion. An exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion, a container of soap, sanitizing or lotion and a pump secured to the container. The exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a power source, a motor and an actuator that couples the motor to the pump. In addition, the exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. Movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of soap, sanitizing or lotion. The pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Mark A. Bullock, Chip W. Curtis
  • Patent number: 11299386
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20220092965
    Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one person passing through an area includes a first monitor, a second monitor, and a receiver. The first monitor is configured to detect activity in a first zone and to obtain first data relating to detected activity in the first zone. The second monitor is configured to detect activity in a second zone and to obtain second data relating to detected activity in the second zone. In addition, the first monitor is in circuit communication with the second monitor and in wireless communication with the receiver. After obtaining the second data, the second monitor generates a second monitor signal that comprises the second data and sends the second monitor signal to the first monitor. The first monitor is configured to receive the second monitor signal and generate a combined data packet that comprises the first data and the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Bullock, David A. Urbanic
  • Patent number: 11232699
    Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one person passing through an area includes a first monitor (104), a second monitor (106), and a receiver (108). The first monitor is configured to detect activity in a first zone (110) and to obtain first data relating to detected activity in the first zone. The second monitor is configured to detect activity in a second zone (111) and to obtain second data relating to detected activity in the second zone. In addition, the first monitor is in circuit communication with the second monitor and in wireless communication with the receiver. After obtaining the second data, the second monitor generates a second monitor signal (112) that comprises the second data and sends the second monitor signal to the first monitor. The first monitor is configured to receive the second monitor signal and generate a combined data packet that comprises the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Bullock, David A. Urbanic
  • Publication number: 20210401239
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems, dispensers, refill units, methods for autonomously updating firmware and/or software in dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a processor, dispenser memory, firmware for controlling one or more operations of the dispenser and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. A reader for reading information from a near field communication tag is also included. The refill unit includes a near field communication tag secured thereto. Memory is located on the near field communications tag. Data stored on the memory. The data contains firmware update instructions. When the refill unit is installed in the receptacle, the reader reads the data. The processor causes the dispenser firmware to be updated by the firmware update instructions read from the near field communications tag on the refill unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Shelby Jay Buell, Mark A. Bullock
  • Publication number: 20210378458
    Abstract: Exemplary power systems for dynamically controlling a dispenser drive motor for dispensing soap, sanitizing or lotion. An exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion, a container of soap, sanitizing or lotion and a pump secured to the container. The exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a power source, a motor and an actuator that couples the motor to the pump. In addition, the exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. Movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of soap, sanitizing or lotion. The pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Mark A. Bullock, Chip W. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20210353112
    Abstract: An exemplary touch-free soap, sanitizer or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a movable cover, a processor, memory, a refill receptacle for receiving a refill container of fluid, and a variable output control card receptacle. The variable output control card receptacle is located proximate the refill receptacle such that when a refill unit is inserted in the refill receptacle, a variable output control card cannot be inserted or removed from the variable output control card receptacle. The dispenser further includes a reader for placing the processor in circuit communication with a variable output control card and in circuit communication with a refill unit data tag. In addition, the dispenser includes a sensor for sensing an object, a variable output control card and a removable and replaceable refill unit. The data tag is secured to the refill unit and the VOC card includes data on the variable output control card for setting the dispenser output volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Shelby J. Buell, Mark A. Bullock
  • Publication number: 20210179416
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Patent number: 10977886
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a modular people counter includes a base and a communications module. The base has a people counter processor, memory, a power supply having one or more batteries, a passive sensor that detects whether a badge and/or a person has entered into a selected area and is within the sensing range and a first connector. The first connector is in circuit communication with the people counter processor. The communications module has a second connector for connecting to the first connector and wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications module is configured to receive one or more signals from the people counter processor when the first connector is connected to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Dennis K. Jenkins, Mark A. Bullock
  • Patent number: 10934153
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20200140254
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Patent number: 10532920
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20190392699
    Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one person passing through an area includes a first monitor (104), a second monitor (106), and a receiver (108). The first monitor is configured to detect activity in a first zone (110) and to obtain first data relating to detected activity in the first zone. The second monitor is configured to detect activity in a second zone (111) and to obtain second data relating to detected activity in the second zone. In addition, the first monitor is in circuit communication with the second monitor and in wireless communication with the receiver. After obtaining the second data, the second monitor generates a second monitor signal (112) that comprises the second data and sends the second monitor signal to the first monitor. The first monitor is configured to receive the second monitor signal and generate a combined data packet that comprises the first data and the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. Bullock, David A. Urbanic
  • Publication number: 20190251766
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a modular people counter includes a base and a communications module. The base has a people counter processor, memory, a power supply having one or more batteries, a passive sensor that detects whether a badge and/or a person has entered into a selected area and is within the sensing range and a first connector. The first connector is in circuit communication with the people counter processor. The communications module has a second connector for connecting to the first connector and wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications module is configured to receive one or more signals from the people counter processor when the first connector is connected to the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Dennis K. Jenkins, Mark A. Bullock