Controlled By Timer Patents (Class 194/241)
  • Patent number: 10455948
    Abstract: A multimedia chair includes a base, seat support, seat, opposing side supports, and arm rests supported on the opposing side supports. A controller is supported by an arm rest attached to a side support, and a display and multimedia module are supported and connected to a controller supported by one of the arm rests. An adjustable foot support and reclinable back seat are actuated by a user authorization module, wherein upon receiving a credit card authorization or wireless authorization signal from a wireless device, the seat is enabled for use. The reclinable back seat is pivotally connected to one of the opposing side supports and an adjustable foot support is pivotally attached to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Jorge Guschmer
  • Patent number: 10039681
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in isolating a subject, the apparatus including a frame movable between collapsed and erected configurations, a body supported by the frame, wherein in the erected configuration, the body defines an internal volume for containing a subject to thereby substantially isolate the subject from a surrounding environment and a door actuator supported by the frame for moving a door between open and closed positions to thereby provide access to the internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Care Strategic D.I.R. Holdings Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin Douglas Ballantyne, James Edward Burkwood, Anna Louise Ballantyne
  • Patent number: 9824573
    Abstract: A method and associated systems for furniture-enabled monitoring and discouragement of sedentary behavior. One or more sensors embedded into a computer-monitored and computer-controlled piece of furniture determine that a user has sat or reclined on the piece of furniture for a predetermined period of time. In response, controllers embedded into the furniture are directed to make the furniture less comfortable in order to encourage the user to get up. In some cases, if the user does not get up, the controllers continue to make the furniture increasingly uncomfortable. Once the user does get up, the furniture is restored to its original comfortable condition after a specified period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tibor Beres, Keith A. Boone, Matthew P. Holt, Wisam Mohammed, Michael K. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 9697506
    Abstract: A parking system is provided. The parking system includes a computerized parking management system and at least one single-space parking meter configured to communicate parking data between the single-space parking meter and the parking management system via a wireless network. The system includes a mobile citation unit configured to communicate parking enforcement data between the mobile citation unit and the parking management system via the wireless network. The parking management system processes and stores parking data received from the single-space parking meters and processes and stores enforcement data from the mobile citation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Duncan Parking Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Jones, Balu Subramanya, Mike Nickolaus
  • Publication number: 20040124063
    Abstract: A token purchasing device that can automatically change the number of tokens purchased for a given price based on time, date, and day of the week information. The token purchasing device includes a banknote accepting unit for accepting a banknote and outputting a banknote value signal based on the denomination of the accepted banknote, a clock unit for outputting the current time and date information, a control unit for computing the number of tokens for dispensing, and a token dispensing unit. The control unit is configured to store a predetermined set of days or a range of times from a start time to an end time defining a special purchasing mode. The control unit can automatically change the number of tokens purchased when the current time and date is within the programmed parameters for the special purchasing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Kenichi Tezuka
  • Patent number: 6630033
    Abstract: A high pressure car wash apparatus providing economy of both water and detergent by the recirculation of a portion of the water and detergent being utilized to a holding tank for reintroduction into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Louis Colicchio
  • Patent number: 6464063
    Abstract: A high pressure car wash apparatus providing economy of both water and detergent by the recirculation of a portion of the water and detergent being utilized to a holding tank for reintroduction into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Louis Colicchio
  • Patent number: 6419882
    Abstract: An oxygen vending system including a control housing being in communication with a source of oxygen. The control housing has a timer with corresponding valve for selectively allowing a flow of oxygen through a flow restrictor. The control housing has a front face. The front face has a plurality of oxygen outputs in communication with the flow restrictor for dispensing a quantity of oxygen from the source of oxygen. A money handling housing is positioned adjacent to the control housing. The money handling housing has a money receiving slot in communication with the timer of the control housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey Matthews
  • Patent number: 6206166
    Abstract: A coin-operated massage table features an intersegmented traction table having a plurality of rollers rotating in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions that travel up and down a patient's back. The patient is lying in a supine position on the table during the massaging process. A control panel is used to increase or decrease the height of the rollers which increases or decreases, respectively, the pressure on the back muscles. The control panel is mounted to the table and is connected to a bill acceptor device which accepts coins, bills, tokens, credit cards or debit cards. The massage table operates for a predetermined amount of time based upon the amount of money the patient inserts in the bill acceptor device. Other optional features of the massage table include a vibration device, and hot and cold and moist supplying devices in the table which are controlled by the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Gregory Kevin Picou
  • Patent number: 6044954
    Abstract: A dual function device which provides compressed air for tire inflation and a vacuum machine for cleaning operations at a single location. The air compressor and the vacuum machine are interconnected electrically so that a user may switch back and forth between each function as rapidly as may be required by the user without overloading or stalling the air compressor. A pressure relief valve is also provided in the air compressor outlet pipe to control the air pressure in the outlet pipe, thereby allowing restarts of the air compressor in an unloaded condition. In an alternate embodiment, the air compressor is connected to an air reservior. The timer controls the operation of a solenoid or a vacuum machine. The timer energizes the solenoid, which then opens to provide compressed air from the air reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Western Paytel, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Patrick McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 5950795
    Abstract: An exact change coin collection device has a coin holding chamber into which all coins collected are temporarily directed. A coin collection stopper releases coins from the coin holding chamber into a coin collection chamber when a preset monetary amount of genuine coins is inserted. A coin return stopper releases all coins from the coin holding chamber into a coin return when the value of coins collected exceeds the preset monetary amount; a counterfeit coin is inserted; or the time since the last coin was inserted exceeds a predetermined time. A setting mechanism permits setting the preset monetary amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignees: Showa Yuen Kabushiki-Kaisha, Yuen -Gaisha Cherry Services
    Inventor: Kouya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5701988
    Abstract: A coin-operated locker includes a control section for controlling a lock mechanism so as to permit locking of the locker upon insertion of a coin and permit insertion of a coin and prohibit locking of the locker upon unlocking of the locker and a timer for measuring a predetermined time interval. The control section controls a timer to start operation after a coin-operated locker has been locked. The control section further monitors measurement by the timer and controls so as to permit the insertion of coins and prohibit the locking of the locker when the measurement by the timer has been completed and the locker has therefore been unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Tsukada
  • Patent number: 5579886
    Abstract: In a case where a succeeding coin has arrived at a coin discriminator (110) before a preceding coin passed through the coin discriminator (110) arrives at a disposition position of a true/false coin distributor (120), the true/false coin distributor (120) is shifted to a false coin side to distribute both of the preceding and succeeding coins to the false coin side. When the preceding coin passed through the coin discriminator (110) is true one and if the succeeding coin has already arrived at the coin discriminator (110) immediately after passage of the preceding coin through the true/false coin distributor (120), the true/false coin distributor (120) is shifted to the false coin side to distribute only the succeeding coin to the false coin side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishida, Kenji Koyama, Iwao Kanasashi, Jun Yamada, Genzo Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 5423407
    Abstract: A system for providing electrical power in response to deposited coins comprising a mounting post secured to the ground, an input head secured at the upper extent of the mounting post, the input head including a plurality of slots for the receipt of coins to be used for the electrical usage to be provided, a plurality of readouts on the input head, an output module located on the post beneath the input head, the output module including a pair of receptacles, the first electrical receptacle adapted for the receipt of a 110 volt plug with a grounding component and the second electrical receptacle adapted for the receipt of a 220 volt plug with a grounding component as well as horizontal and vertical legs and a microprocessor responsive to the inserted coins for illuminating the readouts for indicating information as a function of the coins deposited such as time, money and voltage as well as an output device for supplying voltage for the selected time and voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas Nikolic
  • Patent number: 5240098
    Abstract: A coin-operated personal computer is controlled by a coin box having a timing mechanism to allow a user to operate the computer for a predetermined amount of time for a fee. The computer keyboard which is used to enter and/or retrieve information is connected through the coin operated timing mechanism such that the driving mechanism of the personal computer, data storage, memory, etc., is operational at all times, but the keyboard data transmission line which is used to enter and/or retrieve information is disabled at the end of the time period. The file or data which the user is working on is not lost when the timer disables the keyboard, since the other components of the computer system remain on and operational to retain the data, and in the event that the user has not completed the work at the end of the time period, another coin can be inserted for additional time in which the work can be completed or saved to memory storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventors: Ashok N. Desai, Mrugesh D. Thaker
  • Patent number: 5172577
    Abstract: A door lock having a first member rigidly affixed adjacent a door and having a second member slidably coupled to the first member for slidably advancing the second member in a first direction into a locked position overlying the door. A latch member is carried by the second member for slidable advance of the latch member in a second direction so as to releasably mate the latch member within a latch aperture on the first member, thereby locking the second member in the locked position. A timer is carried by the seond member for withdrawing the latch member from the latch aperature upon expiry of a pre-determined time interval thereby allowing the slidable withdrawal of the second member from the locked position into an open position away from the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventor: Alfred G. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5125492
    Abstract: A device to control the on/off operation of a television set. It is token activated with each of a number of tokens giving a fixed period of time. The device includes a case with a power cord, an electrical receptacle into which the television set power cord is plugged and secured, a token chute with a mechanism for detecting a passing token, and a token drawer with a lock. Inserted tokens are counted and periods of television time credited. Elapsed time is measured, and periods of elapsed time subtracted from credited time. The set is turned off when net credited time, which is displayed, becomes zero. There is a switch to turn off the set while retaining credited time. There is another switch to allow the set to be used without expending credited time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventors: David H. Treleaven, John M. McLean
  • Patent number: 5018615
    Abstract: A vending machine for particulate comestibles that includes a conveyor screw for delivering a predetermined quantity of particulate comestibles accurately and includes a perforated plate located below the screw that functions to remove undersized particulate comestibles so that they will not be delivered to the purchaser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Frank D. Byrley
  • Patent number: 4980900
    Abstract: Electronic control circuitry for transmitting electrical communication between electrically controlled equipment employing timing or display means at a first location, and at a second and remote location for the continuous exchange of electrical power and control signals betwen equipment at each of the locations and where two single wire connectors provide the sole electrical communication between the said locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: Truett T. Welton
  • Patent number: 4926997
    Abstract: A coin operated device and method of using such a device which requires a threshold number of coins to activate its operation. Once operation is stopped, however, there is provided a time window, during which the deposit of fewer than the threshold number of coins may restart the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Donald O. Parker
  • Patent number: 4821862
    Abstract: A coin-box placed adjacent to a television receiver is interposed in the path of a signal input line that supplies program signals to the receiver. Signals on some program channel (the "free" channels) are permitted to pass through the coin box at all times. The purpose of the coin box is to require payment for the reception of programs on certain other selected frequency channels (the "pay" channels). One or more band rejection filters (frequency traps) are utilized within the coin box to normally prevent reception of the pay channels. A bypass circuit, controlled by a relay, permits the pay channels to be received during time periods that have been paid for. The coin-box is lockable for security purposes and contains a timing circuit, a relay, and other controls. The selection of pay channels as well as the various control parameters may be adjusted at will by the proprietor of the establishment in which the television set is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Coinview Corporation
    Inventor: William W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4717005
    Abstract: Capstans and winches secured to beach or boat launching ramp. Operate on electric power for predetermined time interval upon insertion of coin, token or card for common use by the general public. Assist in launching and especially hauling out of watercraft and watercraft carriers. Also reduces potential for personal injury and property damage from loss of traction on slippery slopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Frederick L. Jones
  • Patent number: 4696413
    Abstract: System and method for preventing multiple vends in which a customer gets more than one product for the price of one. The invention is applicable to vending machines having separate vend motors for delivering different products, with product selection switches for selectively energizing the vend motors. When one of the vend motors is energized, energization of a second vend motor is inhibited for a predetermined period of time to prevent vending of a second product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: The Vendo Company
    Inventors: Aaron W. Wilson, Richard A. Pollock
  • Patent number: 4676358
    Abstract: A coin control system for determining whether proper coinage has been inserted to start a coin operated device. The coin in vertical orientation falls onto an inclined ramp, down which it rolls past a mechanism which detects magnetic materials. The coin rolls past a photocell which projects a beam positioned to be interrupted by only the upper limb or arc of the rolling coin. The ramp is mounted between closely spaced side plates and may be vertically adjusted between them with respect to the photocell so that it can be set for coins of different sizes. The coin control mechanism and a coin collection box are each separately lockable within a housing and are both further protected by a specially removable, lockable cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Warren G. Rosendahl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4566033
    Abstract: A small regulator unit including a solid state timer activated by a reed switch is installed between a television receiver and a convenient wall outlet. The unit has a passageway adjacent to the reed switch for the reception of magnetic tokens which act on the reed switch, in turn activating the timer and completing a circuit through the television receiver. After a predetermined time period, the television receiver is turned off automatically so that viewing time can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Inventor: Linda L. Reidenouer