Patents by Inventor Philip A. Robertson
Philip A. Robertson 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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Patent number: 7954386Abstract: A system and method for compensating a calculated or flow rate of fuel dispensed to a vehicle via a fuel flow path in response to a determination of a non-steady state condition based on data corresponding to a signal transmitted by a pressure sensor operatively coupled to the fuel flow path and configured to sense pressure therein, where the pressure sensor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the sensed pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, Philip A. Robertson
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Patent number: 7953968Abstract: A retail environment having retail terminals with data entry point devices selectively encrypts input received by the data entry point devices and passes the encrypted data to a security module. The selective encryption is based on whether or not sensitive or confidential information, such as a personal identification number (PIN) associated with a debit card, is being input. To prevent hacking of the software of the retail terminal, content destined for display on the retail terminal is authenticated prior to display. In this manner, the retail terminal may be assured that confidential information is input only when desired, and thus may be encrypted only as needed.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Philip A. Robertson, Rodger K. Williams, Timothy M. Weston
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Publication number: 20100172767Abstract: A system and method for compensating a calculated or flow rate of fuel dispensed to a vehicle via a fuel flow path in response to a determination of a non-steady state condition based on data corresponding to a signal transmitted by a pressure sensor operatively coupled to the fuel flow path and configured to sense pressure therein, where the pressure sensor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the sensed pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, Philip A. Robertson
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Patent number: 7681460Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the accuracy of fuel flow measurement by a fuel dispenser are provided. Pressure sensors positioned in the fuel flow path detect pressure in the fuel flow path and communicate pressure signals to a control system in the fuel dispenser. The pressure signals are used by the control system to enhance the accuracy of the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed that the control system determines by converting meter signals from a meter. In particular, the pressure signals are used by the control system to determine whether a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path and compensate the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed due to the non-steady state condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, Philip A. Robertson
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Patent number: 7607576Abstract: A security architecture for a retail environment providing both on-line and off-line personal identification number (PIN) validation for a smart card transaction using a reduced number of secure access modules (SAMs). In one embodiment, the retail environment includes and security module and numerous fuel dispensers each including a controller and one or more PINpads and card readers. The security module includes one or more SAMs for off-line PIN validation. Each of the PINpads communicates with the security module, and the security module performs either on-line or off-line PIN validation for every PINpad in the retail environment. Accordingly, the security module uses one set of SAMs for off-line validation for every PINpad in the retail environment.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Gilbarco, Inc.Inventors: Philip A. Robertson, Chris Whitley, Simon Huang Seng Siew, Timothy M. Weston, Victor C. Turner, Ken Ringeman, Greg K. Hampson, Tyrone Aiken, Giovanni Carapelli, Giorgio Carozzini
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Publication number: 20090154696Abstract: A system used in a retail environment, such as a fuel dispensing environment, for providing secure communication of payment information to a host computer. The system includes at least one keypad device configured to receive and encrypt personal information according to a first encryption scheme to produce encrypted personal data. The keypad device is further operative to generate a local zone emulated message in a message format of a second encryption scheme, the local zone emulated message containing the encrypted personal data. A site controller is in communication with the keypad device to receive the local zone emulated message. The site controller is configured to provide a message in the second encryption scheme to a security module for decryption and re-encryption in the first encryption scheme. An emulator is associated with the site controller to emulate the security module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Philip A. Robertson, William C. Royal
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Publication number: 20090141939Abstract: A method for remote event notification over a data network is disclosed. The method includes receiving video data from any source, analyzing the video data with reference to a profile to select a segment of interest associated with an event of significance, encoding the segment of interest, and sending to a user a representation of the segment of interest for display at a user display device. A further method for sharing video data based on content according to a user-defined profile over a data network is disclosed. The method includes receiving the video data, analyzing the video data for relevant content according to the profile, consulting a profile to determine a treatment of the relevant content, and sending data representative of the relevant content according to the treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Craig A. Chambers, Nikhil Gagvani, Philip Robertson, Helen E. Shepro
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Publication number: 20080257429Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the accuracy of fuel flow measurement by a fuel dispenser are provided. Pressure sensors positioned in the fuel flow path detect pressure in the fuel flow path and communicate pressure signals to a control system in the fuel dispenser. The pressure signals are used by the control system to enhance the accuracy of the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed that the control system determines by converting meter signals from a meter. In particular, the pressure signals are used by the control system to determine whether a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path and compensate the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed due to the non-steady state condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, Philip A. Robertson
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Publication number: 20080147539Abstract: Methods and systems for automating a purchase of fuel, goods, or services (FGS) for a customer within a retail fueling environment are disclosed. According to one method, an automated transaction is created for the purchase of a first item of the FGS at a first node of the retail fueling environment, where the retail fueling environment includes at least one fuel dispenser (FD) node and at least one automated attendant (AA) node. The automated transaction is stored. The automated transaction is recalled at a second node of the retail fueling environment. The automated transaction is completed at the second node.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventor: Philip A. Robertson
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Publication number: 20080126213Abstract: A failsafe, redundant storage system for storing additional copies of off-line transactional or payment information generated by service station forecourt devices. The forecourt devices accept customer payment information for carrying out transactions. The payment information is communicated to a payment server for processing. The forecourt devices may be configured to allow customers to initiate and carry out payment transactions even if payment processing is unavailable or off-line. In this instance, the off-line payment information is stored locally at the forecourt device and communicated to the payment server for processing once back online. The forecourt devices communicate with each other in a peer-to-peer fashion to provide another backup of off-line payment information stored locally at the forecourt device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventors: Philip A. Robertson, Kenneth L. Ringeman
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Publication number: 20070107479Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive use with a single-cylinder deadbolt assembly prevents retraction of the extended deadbolt by a key, when the apparatus is in the engaged position. Thus the door will remain locked despite the attempted use of a key for the deadbolt on the outside of the door. The apparatus includes a cylindrical, hollow frame mounted on the security side of the door, the frame including an engaged-fixing site and a retracted-fixing site. A cylindrical security member is received within the frame, the security member having a thumb latch-engaging member including two tines formed on the operational end. A screw or other fixing member is removably received by both the frame and security member at one of the two sites.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2005Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventor: Philip Robertson
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Patent number: 7176920Abstract: A computer games apparatus includes a server operable under the control of a computer program to generate and store data defining a 3D game environment. Objects within that environment can be moved and/or changed in response to signals received by the server from player terminals. Those signals may be transmitted via the Internet and/or other networks. The server renders the object data into data defining one or more views of the 3D environment, which data can then be processed into a broadcastable form for receipt by a plurality of observers. The performance of the apparatus is unaffected by the number of observers actually in receipt of the broadcast data.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Adam Billyard, David Lau-Kee, Michael King, Philip Robertson
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Publication number: 20070033398Abstract: A retail environment having retail terminals with data entry point devices selectively encrypts input received by the data entry point devices and passes the encrypted data to a security module. The selective encryption is based on whether or not sensitive or confidential information, such as a personal identification number (PIN) associated with a debit card, is being input. To prevent hacking of the software of the retail terminal, content destined for display on the retail terminal is authenticated prior to display. In this manner, the retail terminal may be assured that confidential information is input only when desired, and thus may be encrypted only as needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2005Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventors: Philip Robertson, Rodger Williams, Timothy Weston
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Publication number: 20060265736Abstract: A security module used in a retail establishment has two zones of operation. The first zone uses a first encryption scheme between data entry point devices, such as a PIN keypad and the security module. The second zone uses a second encryption scheme between the security module and the host network computer. Both the local encryption scheme and the host encryption scheme may be selectively and independently switched from a legacy encryption scheme to a new encryption scheme to accommodate evolving encryption requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2005Publication date: November 23, 2006Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventors: Philip Robertson, Rodger Williams, Timothy Weston
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Publication number: 20050211766Abstract: A security architecture for a retail environment providing both on-line and off-line personal identification number (PIN) validation for a smart card transaction using a reduced number of secure access modules (SAMs). In one embodiment, the retail environment includes and security module and numerous fuel dispensers each including a controller and one or more PINpads and card readers. The security module includes one or more SAMs for off-line PIN validation. Each of the PINpads communicates with the security module, and the security module performs either on-line or off-line PIN validation for every PINpad in the retail environment. Accordingly, the security module uses one set of SAMs for off-line validation for every PINpad in the retail environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Inventors: Philip Robertson, Chris Whitley, Simon Siew, Timothy Weston, Victor Turner, Ken Ringeman, Greg Hampson, Tyrone Aiken, Giovanni Carapelli, Giorgio Carozzini
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Patent number: 6067527Abstract: The present invention is a point of sale system, method of operation and a control program for use within a point of sale system. The point of sale system includes at least one operator console controlled with the control program with each operator console communicating with at least one console device connected thereto with a control program being executable by a site controller processor of the point of sale system which is operatively associated with a coresident console and being executable by a remote console processor within each console which is remote from the site controller and connected to the site controller by a communications link. The programming includes coresident console application programming for controlling operation of a coresident operator console which is executable by the site controller processor and remote console application programming for controlling operation of each remote console within the point of sale system.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1995Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Gilbarco, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Lovell, William S. Johnson, Jr., Philip A. Robertson, John S. Sabol
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Patent number: 5333011Abstract: An auto-iris control device for automatically controlling an adjustable iris of a surveillance camera. The auto-iris control device has an adjustably settable reference level which can be adjusted by an operator at a remote location. A comparator compares the reference level against the average video level of the video signal output from the surveillance camera. Based upon the result of the comparison, iris control signals are generated for controlling the adjustable iris.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics CorporationInventors: Edwin Thompson, Philip A. Robertson