Patents by Inventor Rodger K. Williams
Rodger K. Williams 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).
-
Publication number: 20130275244Abstract: An integrated point-of-sale terminal for use with a fuel dispenser has a site controller, at least one dispenser having a user interface, at least one processor at the site controller, memory coupled to the processor, and a plurality of point-of-sale applications associated with the site controller. The processor is configured to dynamically regulate which of the plurality of point-of-sale applications has control of the dispenser user interface based on a set of business rules.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Kenneth Ringeman
-
Publication number: 20130110286Abstract: A fuel flow meter assembly for detecting fraud caused by tampering. The fuel flow meter assembly includes a fuel flow meter comprising a shaft and a displacement sensor operatively connected to the fuel flow meter shaft for generating information representative of an amount of fuel delivered through the fuel flow meter. At least one transponder is coupled with one of the fuel flow meter shaft and the displacement sensor. At least one interrogator electronics is coupled with the other of the fuel flow meter shaft and the displacement sensor. The at least one interrogator electronics is configured for remote electronic communication with the at least one transponder.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Edward A. Payne, Chrislopher E. Scott
-
Patent number: 8386322Abstract: An integrated point-of-sale terminal for use with a fuel dispenser has a site controller, at least one dispenser having a user interface, at least one processor at the site controller, memory coupled to the processor, and a plurality of point-of-sale applications associated with the site controller. The processor is configured to dynamically regulate which of the plurality of point-of-sale applications has control of the dispenser user interface based on a set of business rules.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Kenneth Ringeman
-
Patent number: 8342199Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquid fuel comprises a plurality of inlet valves, each connected in-line with a respective inlet pipe in fluid communication with a respective source of a specific liquid fuel. A plurality of outlet valves are also provided, each connected in-line with a respective outlet pipe. A respective fuel hose is in fluid communication with each of the outlet pipes. The apparatus further comprises a coriolis flow meter located between the inlet valves and outlet valves, the coriolis flow meter providing a flow signal indicative of flow therethrough. A controller is operative to receive the flow signal and control the valves such that selected inputs of specific liquid fuels are dispensed to at least one of the fuel hoses. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the selected inputs of specific liquid fuels may include individual liquid fuels and blended combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Gilbarco, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan E. Deline, Ryan C. Garrett, Michael C. Liebal, Edward Payne, Brent K. Price, Rodger K. Williams, Zhou Yang
-
Publication number: 20120166269Abstract: A system and method for handling communications between an alternate fuel vehicle and a recharging station where an adapter of the recharging station is configured to connect to a socket of the vehicle. The vehicle is configured to transmit a pilot tone via the socket to the adapter, where receipt of the pilot tone by the recharging station indicates an electrical connection between the vehicle and the recharging has been established. The vehicle is configured to modulate the pilot tone to include information useable by the recharging station, such as to effect payment for any energy provided by the recharging station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventors: Edward A. Payne, Rodger K. Williams, Jonathan E. DeLine
-
Publication number: 20110273371Abstract: A system and method for displaying information at a fuel dispenser comprises an electrophoretic display that may be configured to operate in low temperature environments. The fuel dispenser may comprise a keypad located beneath the electrophoretic display in order to present a graphical user interface to a customer and receive the customer's selections. The fuel dispenser may comprise additional electrophoretic displays to present additional information to the consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Edward A. Payne, Rodger K. Williams, Ryan C. Garrett
-
Publication number: 20110231648Abstract: 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: May 27, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventors: Philip A. Robertson, Rodger K. Williams, Timothy M. Weston
-
Publication number: 20110224884Abstract: A fuel control system and method for providing fuel to an internal combustion engine are provided. The fuel control system generally includes at least one valve device structured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine, a first fuel source structured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device, a second fuel source structured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device, and an electronic controller structured to control the valve device. The electronic controller controls the valve device as a function of various data to selectively deliver the primary fuel and the alternate fuel to generate a fuel supply, e.g. as a mixture of the two fuels. The data used to control the fuel supply may include GPS data, engine data, environmental data, and/or other operational data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Edward Payne
-
Patent number: 8006677Abstract: A fuel control system and method for providing fuel to an internal combustion engine are provided. The fuel control system generally includes at least one valve device structured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine, a first fuel source structured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device, a second fuel source structured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device, and an electronic controller structured to control the valve device. The electronic controller controls the valve device as a function of various data to selectively deliver the primary fuel and the alternate fuel to generate a fuel supply, e.g. as a mixture of the two fuels. The data used to control the fuel supply may include GPS data, engine data, environmental data, and/or other operational data.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Immixt, LLCInventors: Rodger K. Williams, Edward Payne
-
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
-
Patent number: 7913664Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the use of primary fuel and alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine without cross-contamination of fuel types. Cross-contamination of fuel types may eliminate the ability to receive certain benefits or financial incentives associated with use of alternate fuel, including but not limited to RINs, credits, and subsidies. In one embodiment, primary and/or alternate fuel are controllably delivered from sources to a flow cell. If blending is desired, both primary and alternate fuels are delivered to the flow cell. The engine is fed with the resulting primary fuel, alternate fuel, or blended mixture of fuel from the flow cell. The flow cell contains a bypass inlet port adapted to receive excess fuel not consumed by the engine in lieu of the excess fuel being returned to the primary and/or alternate fuel sources. In this manner, cross-contamination of the fuel sources can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Edward A. Payne
-
Publication number: 20110029219Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the use of primary fuel and alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine without cross-contamination of fuel types. Cross-contamination of fuel types may eliminate the ability to receive certain benefits or financial incentives associated with use of alternate fuel, including but not limited to RINs, credits, and subsidies. In one embodiment, primary and/or alternate fuel are controllably delivered from sources to a flow cell. If blending is desired, both primary and alternate fuels are delivered to the flow cell. The engine is fed with the resulting primary fuel, alternate fuel, or blended mixture of fuel from the flow cell. The flow cell contains a bypass inlet port adapted to receive excess fuel not consumed by the engine in lieu of the excess fuel being returned to the primary and/or alternate fuel sources. In this manner, cross-contamination of the fuel sources can be avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Edward A. Payne
-
Publication number: 20100325003Abstract: An integrated point-of-sale terminal for use with a fuel dispenser has a site controller, at least one dispenser having a user interface, at least one processor at the site controller, memory coupled to the processor, and a plurality of point-of-sale applications associated with the site controller. The processor is configured to dynamically regulate which of the plurality of point-of-sale applications has control of the dispenser user interface based on a set of business rules.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: GILBARCO INC.Inventors: Kenneth Ringeman, Rodger K. Williams
-
Patent number: 7841317Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the use of primary fuel and alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine without cross-contamination of fuel types. Cross-contamination of fuel types may eliminate the ability to receive certain benefits or financial incentives associated with use of alternate fuel, including but not limited to RINs, credits, and subsidies. In one embodiment, primary and/or alternate fuel are controllably delivered from sources to a flow cell. If blending is desired, both primary and alternate fuels are delivered to the flow cell. The engine is fed with the resulting primary fuel, alternate fuel, or blended mixture of fuel from the flow cell. The flow cell contains a bypass inlet port adapted to receive excess fuel not consumed by the engine in lieu of the excess fuel being returned to the primary and/or alternate fuel sources. In this manner, cross-contamination of the fuel sources can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Edward A. Payne
-
Publication number: 20100139782Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquid fuel comprises a plurality of inlet valves, each connected in-line with a respective inlet pipe in fluid communication with a respective source of a specific liquid fuel. A plurality of outlet valves are also provided, each connected in-line with a respective outlet pipe. A respective fuel hose is in fluid communication with each of the outlet pipes. The apparatus further comprises a coriolis flow meter located between the inlet valves and outlet valves, the coriolis flow meter providing a flow signal indicative of flow therethrough. A controller is operative to receive the flow signal and control the valves such that selected inputs of specific liquid fuels are dispensed to at least one of the fuel hoses. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the selected inputs of specific liquid fuels may include individual liquid fuels and blended combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Jonathan E. Deline, Ryan C. Garrett, Michael C. Liebal, Edward Payne, Brent K. Price, Rodger K. Williams, Zhou Yang
-
Publication number: 20080262701Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the use of primary fuel and alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine without cross-contamination of fuel types. Cross-contamination of fuel types may eliminate the ability to receive certain benefits or financial incentives associated with use of alternate fuel, including but not limited to RINs, credits, and subsidies. In one embodiment, primary and/or alternate fuel are controllably delivered from sources to a flow cell. If blending is desired, both primary and alternate fuels are delivered to the flow cell. The engine is fed with the resulting primary fuel, alternate fuel, or blended mixture of fuel from the flow cell. The flow cell contains a bypass inlet port adapted to receive excess fuel not consumed by the engine in lieu of the excess fuel being returned to the primary and/or alternate fuel sources. In this manner, cross-contamination of the fuel sources can be avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Rodger K. Williams, Edward A. Payne