Patents by Inventor Thomas Franklin Smith, JR.

Thomas Franklin Smith, JR. 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).

  • Article dispensing machine and method for auditing inventory while article dispensing machine remains operational
    Patent number: 9886809
    Abstract: An article dispensing machine capable of performing an inventory audit of a portion of the inventory and automatically pausing the inventory audit in response to a customer transaction request and method for performing the same are shown. After completing the customer request, the article dispensing machine resumes the inventory auditing process. The article dispensing machine thereby remains available for customer use during the inventory auditing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, Jr., William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, Jr.
  • ARTICLE DISPENSING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR AUDITING INVENTORY WHILE ARTICLE DISPENSING MACHINE REMAINS OPERATIONAL
    Publication number: 20130131863
    Abstract: An article dispensing machine capable of performing an inventory audit of a portion of the inventory and automatically pausing the inventory audit in response to a customer transaction request and method for performing the same are shown. After completing the customer request, the article dispensing machine resumes the inventory auditing process. The article dispensing machine thereby remains available for customer use during the inventory auditing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: Eric J. Hoersten, William E. Caputo, Thomas Franklin Smith, JR., William Martinka, Jim Polubinski, JR.