Patents by Inventor Robert P. Hoffman

Robert P. Hoffman 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: 10332083
    Abstract: A method of performing a fueling transaction via an application installed on a mobile device, such as a smart phone. One step of the method involves receiving at the mobile device a short range wireless initiation signal directly from a fuel dispenser. The wireless initiation signal contains information indentifying the fuel dispenser. In response to the wireless initiation signal, an application is automatically launched on the mobile device. Input is received into the mobile device from a customer, which is interpreted by the application to correspond to at least one selection made by the customer. Payment information of the customer is transmitted from the mobile device to a remote cloud server so that the transaction can be authorized. As fuel is dispensed from the fuel dispenser, at least one of fueling information and promotional information is received at the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Robert P. Hoffman, Giovanni Carapelli, Edward A. Payne
  • Publication number: 20150106196
    Abstract: A method of performing a fueling transaction via an application installed on a mobile device, such as a smart phone. One step of the method involves receiving at the mobile device a short range wireless initiation signal directly from a fuel dispenser. The wireless initiation signal contains information indentifying the fuel dispenser. In response to the wireless initiation signal, an application is automatically launched on the mobile device. Input is received into the mobile device from a customer, which is interpreted by the application to correspond to at least one selection made by the customer. Payment information of the customer is transmitted from the mobile device to a remote cloud server so that the transaction can be authorized. As fuel is dispensed from the fuel dispenser, at least one of fueling information and promotional information is received at the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Robert P. Hoffman, Giovanni Carapelli, Edward A. Payne
  • Patent number: 4380359
    Abstract: In order to make a ground connection between a printed circuit mounted on the back of an instrument panel housing and the metal frame of an instrument within the panel, a flexible spring clip is fixed to a pin projecting from the back of the housing and has a pair of legs straddling the pin each terminating in a contact which conductively engage the printed circuit and the instrument frame respectively. An aperture in the housing allows one leg of the spring clip to extend into the housing adjacent the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Hoffman, Lavern E. Chandler
  • Patent number: 4075522
    Abstract: The armature of an electric motor driven pump has a casing comprising a first end cap covering the end turns at one end of the armature core with a plurality of integral axially extending fingers disposed respectively in slots within the core, the fingers having means wedging them in the slots to prevent radial outward movement and a hook on the end of each having a ramp surface sloping radially inward from the end of the finger. The casing further comprises a second end cap covering the end turns at the opposite end of the core with an outwardly extending circumferential flange engaged by the hooks, whereby the first and second end caps are clamped to each other and retained on the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Hoffman