Patents by Inventor Scott A. Dean
Scott A. Dean 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: 8229851Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Patent number: 8103586Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Publication number: 20110307378Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Patent number: 8033375Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Patent number: 8024272Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Patent number: 7874560Abstract: A suspended game piece construction game having a game assembly including a suspended ring assembly to which a plurality of game pieces may be attached in a multitude of different orientations and compositions. A base assembly is placed upon a flat surface, and serves as a support for the rest of the game assembly. An elongated linear member is mounted vertically to the top of the base assembly. A ring assembly is placed about the elongated linear member, and is free to move up and down along the elongated linear member. A top assembly is mounted to the top end of the elongated linear tube, and supports the ring assembly at the top of the elongated linear member during gameplay. A plurality of game pieces have features which allow them to be attached to the ring or to each other. During gameplay, players take turns attaching game pieces to the ring assembly, or to other game pieces that have already been attached. Players attempt to attach the pieces so as to avoid causing the ring assembly to fall.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Scott Dean, Matthew Donie, Joel Kramer
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Patent number: 7865432Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Publication number: 20100327005Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for dispensing cards and other items. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least first and second card hoppers and a movable card carriage. The card carriage is movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position proximate to the second card hopper. The card carriage is configured to receive a first card from the first card hopper when in the first position and a second card from the second card hopper when in the second position. In one aspect of this embodiment, the card carriage can dispense at least the first card into a card outlet chute when the first card has been sufficiently read by a card reader. Alternatively, the card carriage can dispense the first card into a card escrow chute when the first card has not been sufficiently read by the card reader.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Mark L. Waechter, Gregory P. Winters
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Patent number: 7815071Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for dispensing cards and other items. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least first and second card hoppers and a movable card carriage. The card carriage is movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position proximate to the second card hopper. The card carriage is configured to receive a first card from the first card hopper when in the first position and a second card from the second card hopper when in the second position. In one aspect of this embodiment, the card carriage can dispense at least the first card into a card outlet chute when the first card has been sufficiently read by a card reader. Alternatively, the card carriage can dispense the first card into a card escrow chute when the first card has not been sufficiently read by the card reader.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Mark L. Waechter, Gregory P. Winters
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Publication number: 20100198726Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Publication number: 20100126208Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an air conditioning unit that includes an intake vent, an exhaust vent, a return vent, a supply vent, and an economizer assembly including a sliding damper and a partition. The partition includes an opening through which air can flow from the return vent to the supply vent during a mechanical cooling mode. The sliding damper includes a vertical panel capable of moving vertically to close the intake vent and the exhaust vent during the mechanical cooling mode and an angled panel capable of closing the opening in the partition in order to enter an economizer mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Scott Dean Stammer, Randal Alan Schroeder
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Publication number: 20100100481Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Patent number: 7653599Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Publication number: 20090113820Abstract: A prefabricated wall system used in constructing a structure, the system including a wall segment configured to be lightweight and easily handled manually while constructing the structure, and a securing system configured to secure the wall segment in place on the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventor: Scott Deans
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Publication number: 20090018959Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: Coinstar, Inc.Inventors: Michael Doran, Douglas A. Martin, Scott A. Dean, Jessaca Jacobson, Kim P. Hanson, Kerry Smith
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Publication number: 20090012191Abstract: This invention relates to a method for creating a lightweight cementatious material for use in building construction. The material can be formed in panels to replace conventional drywall gypsum board. In the disclosed form the product does not include any paper or other components that serve as food for mold and therefore is mold resistant. The material has a composition of Portland cement, foamed glass beads and an acrylic co-polymer. In some forms, sand may be used as a filler and in others, the filler may be polystyrofoam particles and vermiculite.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventor: Scott Deans
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Publication number: 20070044426Abstract: The present invention is directed to prefabricated building wall sections that may be delivered to a building site and subsequently assembled and filled with a lightweight concrete so as to minimize the weight that has to be moved to create a building wall. In one form, the building wall is constructed of a pair of opposed lightweight wall panel members that are joined together by structural trusses with the space between the panel members being filled with a lightweight concrete at the building site. The wall panels are so constructed that they are easily cut to allow electricians and plumbers to have access into the walls for connection of pipes and wiring. In one form, a plurality of the wall units are connected together to form a wall and a pilaster of concrete is poured through a form positioned in the assembled wall sections to provide structural support for the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Inventor: Scott Deans
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Publication number: 20060207856Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, gift cards, in-store gift certificates, e-certificates, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a gift certificate for use on-line can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the certificate with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventors: Scott Dean, Mark Waechter, Kim Hanson, Michael Doran, Kerry Smith, Scott Jeffus, Peter Rowan
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Patent number: D605707Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventor: Scott Dean
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Patent number: D605709Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventor: Scott Dean