Patents by Inventor Philip Robertson

Philip 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).

  • Patent number: 7954386
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, Philip A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7953968
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Philip A. Robertson, Rodger K. Williams, Timothy M. Weston
  • Publication number: 20100172767
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: GILBARCO INC.
    Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, Philip A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7681460
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, Philip A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7607576
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20090154696
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Philip A. Robertson, William C. Royal
  • Publication number: 20090141939
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Craig A. Chambers, Nikhil Gagvani, Philip Robertson, Helen E. Shepro
  • Publication number: 20080257429
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: GILBARCO INC.
    Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, Philip A. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20080147539
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: GILBARCO INC.
    Inventor: Philip A. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20080126213
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: GILBARCO INC.
    Inventors: Philip A. Robertson, Kenneth L. Ringeman
  • Publication number: 20070107479
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventor: Philip Robertson
  • Patent number: 7176920
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Adam Billyard, David Lau-Kee, Michael King, Philip Robertson
  • Publication number: 20070033398
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: GILBARCO INC.
    Inventors: Philip Robertson, Rodger Williams, Timothy Weston
  • Publication number: 20060265736
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: GILBARCO INC.
    Inventors: Philip Robertson, Rodger Williams, Timothy Weston
  • Publication number: 20050211766
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Philip Robertson, Chris Whitley, Simon Siew, Timothy Weston, Victor Turner, Ken Ringeman, Greg Hampson, Tyrone Aiken, Giovanni Carapelli, Giorgio Carozzini
  • Patent number: 6067527
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Gilbarco, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Lovell, William S. Johnson, Jr., Philip A. Robertson, John S. Sabol
  • Patent number: 5333011
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin Thompson, Philip A. Robertson