Fluid Patents (Class 705/413)
  • Patent number: 12129187
    Abstract: A process for purifying nitrobenzene-contaminated wastewater stream WW1 includes stripping WW1 with stripping gas SG1 in a stripping column to obtain wastewater stream WW2 containing reduced concentration of nitrobenzene relative to WW1 (cNB,WW2), and purifying WW2 in a wastewater treatment plant, wherein a target value (cNB,WW2,TARGET) is specified for the nitrobenzene concentration in WW2. A set of linear mathematical relationships is stored in a database for a combination of boundary conditions of nitrobenzene concentration in WW1, temperature of WW1, and temperature of SG1. This set defines a range of concentrations of nitrobenzene in WW2 and includes a mathematical relationship corresponding to cNB,WW2,TARGET, a mathematical relationship for a value of cNB,WW2 corresponding to 98% of cNB,WW2,TARGET, and a linear mathematical relationship for a value of cNB,WW2 corresponding to 102% of cNB,WW2,TARGET. The concentration of nitrobenzene is controlled in WW2 (cNB,WW2) by adjusting the flow rate of SG1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Thomas Rosin, Peter Drinda, Klaus Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 12106276
    Abstract: In one aspect, first data characterizing an attribute of a fuel dispenser user interacting with a fuel dispenser can be received. A first product that is associated with the fuel dispenser user can be determined based on the received first data. Second data characterizing a first location at a fueling station can be received. Third data that characterizes whether the first product is stored at the first location can be determined based on the determined first product and the received second data. A first command can be determined based on the determined third data. The command can be transmitted. Related apparatus, systems, methods, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventor: Hob Hairston
  • Patent number: 12088505
    Abstract: A device configured to receive a resource reservation request that identifies a user and a resource. The device is further configured to generate a resource allocation that includes an association between the user, location information for the resource, a resource identifier for the resource, and a token value. The device is further configured to associate the resource allocation with a time interval indicating a deadline for using the resource allocation. The device is further configured to receive a reservation verification request from a network device. The device is further configured to determine the location information for the network device is within a predetermined distance from the location information for the resource, to determine the resource identifier matches the resource identifier for the resource, and to determine a current time is within the time interval. The device is further configured to generate resource allocation instructions authorizing access to the resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: 7-ELEVEN, INC.
    Inventors: Onutase Dehenre, Kushal Gupta, Mukul Jindal, Stephen Patrick Kinch
  • Patent number: 11928476
    Abstract: A virtualized transaction terminal platform is provided. A transaction terminal is configured as a thin-client terminal. A virtualized transaction terminal (Virtual Machine (VM)) is instantiated remotely on a cloud or a server over a network connection. Peripherals connected to the thin-client terminal are mapped to virtual peripheral device drivers on the cloud or the server. Physical peripherals connected to the thin-client terminal are mapped inside the VM to the corresponding virtual peripheral device drivers. As transactions are initiated and physical peripherals are operated at the thin-client terminal, the transactions are processed by the VM and inputs/outputs from the physical peripherals are forwarded for processing by the corresponding virtual peripheral device drivers. A remote desktop (RD) agent on the thin-client terminal keeps states of the VM and virtual peripheral device drivers in synchronization with a peripheral display of the thin-client terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
    Inventor: Simon Waterman
  • Patent number: 11891296
    Abstract: A fuel distribution system includes a fuel intake in communication with at least one fuel source that delivers a fuel through a fuel path. A filtering mechanism is positioned within the fuel path. A surge tank operates to maintain a minimum fluid pressure within the fuel path. A fuel manifold selectively delivers the fuel to a plurality of external fuel couplings. A flow meter monitors a flow of the fuel through the fuel manifold. The plurality of external fuel couplings are configured to contemporaneously deliver the fuel at a consistent flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Tyton Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Fachini
  • Patent number: 11858802
    Abstract: A transaction appliance is located within a retail fueling station environment. Presence of a consumer vehicle at a fuel dispenser is detected and the transaction appliance transmits a transaction trigger to a transaction server located remotely outside the retail fueling station environment. The transaction server responsively invokes personalized consumer data associated with the transaction trigger including advertising and promotions for purchasing products and services from a vendor. The personalized transaction data is provided to the consumer by way of the transaction appliance and a fuel dispenser user interface during the time the consumer is dispensing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Circle K Tech Inc.
    Inventors: David Braslavsky, Deepak Wanner, Jingsong Li
  • Patent number: 11802665
    Abstract: According to aspects, hydrogen fueling systems and methods are provided, including vehicle-to-vehicle communication techniques, hydrogen cooling techniques and/or hydrogen dispenser control techniques that facilitate improving aspects of a hydrogen fueling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ivys Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl Edward Pollica, Christopher John O'Brien, Bryan Gordon
  • Patent number: 11790335
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and device are provided for facilitating communication between a fuel dispenser and a forecourt controller. In some embodiments, the methods, systems, and devices allow data to be combined and compressed for transmission through a reduced number of data connections, and then decompressed for transmission to the forecourt controller or components of the fuel dispenser. In certain exemplary embodiments, the compressing and decompressing can be performed by one or more signal combiners at the forecourt controller and the fuel dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventors: Henry Fieglein, Richard Carlsson
  • Patent number: 11790312
    Abstract: In some configurations, a supply-chain characteristic-vectors merchandising system and a method for an environmental characteristic-vectors of a gas communicating from an upstream amenity to a downstream amenity in a supply-chain may be disclosed. The system may be configured to track oil and/or gas throughout the supply-chain by associating characteristic-vectors (e.g., environmental, operational, physical etc.) of the upstream amenity and the downstream amenity with the energy units of the gas transmitted through the supply-chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PROJECT CANARY, PBC
    Inventors: William J. Foiles, Ryan E. Brush, Nathan C. Eichenlaub, Kieran J. Lynn
  • Patent number: 11783309
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to controlling operation of service devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Mastercard Asia/Pacific PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Srinath Ravinathan, Donghao Huang, Bensam Joyson
  • Patent number: 11772955
    Abstract: A security device for a fuel dispenser includes a stepping relay having contacts arranged in series between a source of power and a fuel pump such that when the contacts are open, no fuel can be dispensed. The stepping relay is triggered by one or more door interlock switches that are powered by the fuel pump side of the contacts such that, when an access door is opened, the relay is triggered and the door interlock switches are no longer powered, hence, disabled. Therefore, a reset switch that is constantly powered is interfaced to trigger the stepping relay to close the contacts and allow fuel to be dispensed. Preferably, the reset switch is either remotely located or has a security feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Leonard Witt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11741774
    Abstract: A cassette housing for rebalancing bills among storage cassettes is disclosed. The cassette housing is fixedly and operably coupled to a transaction device and includes docking apparatus structured to receive a first storage cassette and a second storage cassette, a transport apparatus operatively coupled to the docking apparatuses and a housing computing system. The transport apparatus is structured to facilitate transferring the bills among the storage cassettes. The housing computing system is structured to generate a first storage data packet and a second storage data packet associated with the first storage cassette and the second storage cassette, respectively. A rebalancing instruction may be generated by a remote computing system based on the first storage data packet and the second storage data packet. The cassette housing is structured to cause the transport apparatus to transport bills based on a rebalancing instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
    Inventors: Christian Mande, Darren Goetz, Frank Digangi, Dennis Montenegro
  • Patent number: 11713236
    Abstract: A transaction appliance is located within a retail fueling station environment. Presence of a consumer vehicle at a fuel dispenser is detected and the transaction appliance transmits a transaction trigger to a transaction server located remotely outside the retail fueling station environment. The transaction server responsively invokes personalized consumer data associated with the transaction trigger including advertising and promotions for purchasing products and services from a vendor. The personalized transaction data is provided to the consumer by way of the transaction appliance and a fuel dispenser user interface during the time the consumer is dispensing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Circle K Tech Inc.
    Inventors: David Braslavsky, Deepak Wanner, Jingsong Li
  • Patent number: 11657404
    Abstract: The subject matter discloses method, the method comprises: receiving a request for fueling of a vehicle in a site; receiving a capture of the vehicle; if location of the vehicle detected from the capture is within a certain powering area of the site then: retrieving from a data repository an identification of a pump associated with the powering area; and instructing a computing device controlling the pump to start the fueling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TANKU LTD.
    Inventors: Dan Valdhorn, Nadav Maoz, Alon Amster
  • Patent number: 11572268
    Abstract: A refueling system has a fuel tank, a sealing member, a camera, and a controller. The fuel tank includes a main chamber. The sealing member is disposed between the main chamber and the atmosphere. The sealing member is configured to selectively move between a first position in which the fluid communication between the fuel tank and atmosphere is allowed and a second position in which fluid communication with atmosphere is inhibited. The camera is configured to retrieve an image of a fuel source within a predetermined proximity of the fuel tank. The controller is configured to actuate the sealing member in response to an evaluation of the image determining that fuel from the fuel source is consumable with the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 11535207
    Abstract: A fluid-distribution assembly has controllable components. The fluid-distribution assembly also has a vehicle-fuelling connection configured to be selectively connectable to a first compressed-natural-gas tank of a first compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicle. The fluid-distribution assembly also has a fuel-storage connection configured to be selectively connectable to a fuel storage assembly. The fluid-distribution assembly is configured to be electrically connected to a controller assembly. The controller assembly is configured to monitor and control operations of the controllable components of the fluid-distribution assembly. The controllable components of the fluid-distribution assembly are configured to selectively distribute, under control by way of the controller assembly, a fluid flow of a compressed natural gas between the first compressed-natural-gas tank and the fuel storage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Change Energy Services
    Inventors: Gordon Rymal Smith, Allan Wallace Davidson
  • Patent number: 11494855
    Abstract: In general, intelligent fuel dispensers are provided. In at least some implementations, an intelligent fuel dispenser can determine customer identities and/or other characteristics and provide customized fueling sessions based on the determined customer identities and/or other characteristics. In at least some implementations, the fuel dispenser includes a touchless interface allowing customers to complete fueling sessions with minimal physical contact with the fuel dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventors: John Joseph Morris, Scott R. Negley, III, Annika Birkler, Richard Carlsson, Patrick Jeitler, Randal S. Kretzler
  • Patent number: 11488154
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic payment method and to an electronic payment system. A central server generates a secret number based on a payment card number. The central server associates the secret number with a transaction. A copy of the association between the secret number and the transaction is stored at a remote terminal. An access is detected at the remote terminal by acquiring the payment card number at the remote terminal. The remote terminal generates an identifier based on the payment card number. The remote terminal verifies whether the identifier matches the secret number. When the identifier matches the secret number, the remote terminal determines whether a provision of a product or service offered at the remote terminal is authorized based on a content of the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Cyril Robitaille
  • Patent number: 11436917
    Abstract: A central monitoring and measurement system is described. A central user interface system for generation of a plurality of user-desired information based upon a plurality of measured data, the central user interface system may include a receiver system configured to receive wirelessly the plurality of measured data from a plurality of external sensor systems. An input/output system may be configured to provide output data to a display screen, receive input data from the display device, and provide output data to a processing system. The processing system may be configured to process the plurality of measured data from the plurality of external sensor systems into the plurality of user-desired information. Each external sensor system may include a transmission system configured to transmit wirelessly measured data to the central user interface system, and a measurement system configured to determine the measured data associated with an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: La Crosse Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Haupt, Allan McCormick
  • Patent number: 11386370
    Abstract: A fleet management system includes a request component that receives one or more service requests and analyzes a first service request to identify a plurality of request parameters, a fuel component that identifies one or more fuel parameters associated with the fuel types, an evaluation component that analyzes a plurality of service parameters in light of the request parameters and the fuel parameters to determine a plurality of operating costs for managing the first service request, and a service component that analyzes the operating costs to select a first vehicle type corresponding to one of the operating costs for managing the first service request. The fleet management system enables a fleet of vehicles using a plurality of fuel types to be effectively and efficiently managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeremy Whaling, Robert M. Uyeki, Ryan Douglas Roy Harty, Sruthi Raju Nadimpalli
  • Patent number: 11276060
    Abstract: Implementations of this specification provide a system and method for performing transfer operations based on a blockchain smart contract. An example method includes: determining, by a transferor client device, a transferee account, a transfer amount, and at least one expense asset, and constructing and submitting a transfer transaction to a blockchain network. The transfer transaction is verified by the blockchain network through a smart contract, using a homomorphic encryption algorithm to determine that a sum of a transfer amount included in a transfer asset and a change amount included in a change asset is equal to a total expense amount corresponding to the at least one expense asset. Using the smart contract, the expense asset is deducted from a transferor account associated with the transferor client device, the change asset is added to the transferor account, and the transfer asset is added to the transferee account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced New Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yitong Qi
  • Patent number: 11199855
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatically reporting all the lubes delivered from the lube truck in the field and on the lube bay at the workshop in mining & related business. All the lubes dispensed from both sides need to be accounted for on each machine due to the high cost and volume. The system improves the actual lube process on mining environment avoiding human mistakes and creating a reliable lube report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Lisandro Chacin
  • Patent number: 10999983
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan L. Walker, Harvey J. Nickerson, Blake Snider
  • Patent number: 10766758
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic fuel management control and accounting system may include: a server having a management logic in a memory and executable by a processor; a client device having an interface logic in a memory and executable by a processor; and a dispenser control device communicatively coupled to a material providing system to control dispensing of a material from the material providing system. A dispensing logic may be stored in a memory of the dispenser control device and executable by a processor of the dispenser control device. The dispensing logic may communicate with the management logic of the server via the interface logic of the client device thereby allowing the management logic to control dispensing of the material from the material providing system. The system may enable any number of client devices, such as cell phones, to instantly provide access to the material providing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: John Randolph Blyth
  • Patent number: 10740706
    Abstract: Provided is a process including: receiving a tank-nearly-full message indicating that a tank at an oil or gas related facility is or will be ready for a truck to unload and transport fluid accumulating in the tank; in response to the tank-nearly-full message, creating a tank-run record; sending a description of the tank-run to a mobile device of a driver of an oilfield truck; receiving, from the mobile device of the driver of the oilfield truck, a tank-run claimed message indicating that the driver will drive to the oil or gas related facility and transport at least some of the fluid accumulating in the tank; and after the tank-run claimed message, performing steps including: confirming that the tank-run has not yet been claimed; after the confirmation, designating the tank-run as claimed by the driver; and sending confirmation to the mobile device of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SITEPRO, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Phillips, David Bateman, Britt Wuensche, Jordan Kutscherousky, Linlin Zhao
  • Patent number: 10582674
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan L. Walker, Harvey J. Nickerson, Blake Snider
  • Patent number: 10380605
    Abstract: Systems and methods for associating discounts or incentives with payment options are presented. In various embodiments, a customer purchasing goods or services is presented with various discounts or incentives to use one or more particular forms of payment such as cash, credit card, debit card, house card, or the like. After being presented with such information, the customer may then choose a form of payment, taking into account the various discounts or incentives related thereto. The appropriate discount or incentive is then applied to the customer's total bill and/or saved in the customer's loyalty account for future use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Groff, Scott Mulcay
  • Patent number: 10229451
    Abstract: A method for processing transaction information for a commodity object is provided. The method includes receiving a request for purchasing a commodity object and generating, based on the request, a transaction order. The transaction order may include transaction amount information, information about a first user selling the commodity object, and information about a second user purchasing the commodity object. The method may further include setting an amount of fund in a fund account of the second user to a frozen state, and after a preset time period, transferring the amount of fund to a fund account of the first user. After the amount of fund is set to the frozen state and before the amount of fund is transferred to the fund account of the first user, an income produced by the amount of fund may be calculated and transferred to the fund account of the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED
    Inventors: Xichun Liu, Baoyou Cheng, Xiangfei Huang, Wei Zhang, Zhenjie Wang, Haiquan Zhang, Junlin Zhu, Heng Li, Shisheng Liu, Zengguang Liu, Libin Sun, Zhen Yang, Yong Wu, Liwen Xie, Hongwei Zhao, Zhebin Tao
  • Patent number: 9949612
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing substances, such as cleaning, washing, or dishwashing agents, in household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, or the like, having a dispensing unit having control means to control dispensing of the substances, and a tank receptacle, a tank for stocking the substances, the tank being embodied as a replaceable unit connectable to the tank receptacle, at least one connection for data transmission between the dispensing unit and the tank, at least one connection for data transmission between the household appliance and the tank and/or the dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Rudolf Lonski
  • Patent number: 9608808
    Abstract: There is provided a mobile terminal for use in a system which includes a backend server having a first encryption key and an onboard unit (OBU). A first receiving unit receives, from the backend server, a base shared key encrypted with a second encryption key, the base shared key encrypted with the first encryption key, and a digital signature. A deriving unit decrypts the base shared key with the second encryption key and derives first authentication information based on the base shared key and a first temporary parameter. A second sending unit sends, to the OBU, the base shared key encrypted with the first encryption key, the digital signature, the first authentication information, identification information of the base shared key, and the first temporary parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Shingo Murakami, Takeshi Matsumura, Toshikane Oda, Shinta Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9285614
    Abstract: A liquid crystal dispensing system includes a container to contain liquid crystal to be dispensed, a discharge pump to receive the liquid crystal from the container and to discharge the liquid crystal, a nozzle to dispense the liquid crystal discharged from the discharge pump onto a substrate, and a control unit to control a dispensing amount of liquid crystal discharged from the discharge pump and to compensate the dispensing amount when the dispensing amount of liquid crystal exceeds a limitation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joung-Ho Ryu, Soo-Min Kwak, Hae-Joon Son, Man-Ho An, Joon-Young Kim, Do-Hyun Ryu, Seung-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 9258952
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan L. Walker, Harvey J. Nickerson, Blake Snider
  • Patent number: 9076139
    Abstract: An apparatus for the delivery of a product having a delivery outlet, a delivery control device, a remote command device, and a mobile communications device is disclosed. The delivery control device is connected to the remote command device via a communications network and is adapted to activate the delivery outlet when in receipt of an activation signal from the remote command device. The mobile communications device is connectable to the remote command device via a communications network. The remote command device is adapted to send the activation signal to the delivery control device when in receipt of an activation request signal from the mobile communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Micros Systems UK Limited
    Inventor: Paul Broome
  • Patent number: 9053503
    Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data between devices within a fueling environment comprising a wireless mesh network wherein the devices are configured to communicate via the wireless mesh network. A wireless communication device is connected to each device, and a middleware executed by the wireless communication device handles communications between the devices and the wireless mesh network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Gilbarco, S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giovanni Carapelli
  • Patent number: 8874475
    Abstract: Fueling transactions (and other types of transactions) may be verified for legitimacy and validity by recording audio, video and/or images of the transaction as it occurs. The recordings may then be indexed according to one or more transaction parameters such as a driver identifier, a vehicle or transportation unit identifier, an invoice number, a fueling station and the like. A carrier associated with a driver and/or vehicle or other transportation unit may specify which transactions are to be recorded. Accordingly, the fueling station may automatically determine whether to record a transaction upon receiving a transaction initiation request. Transaction recordings may be made based on transaction recordation parameters defined by a carrier and stored and indexed based on transaction storing parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Epona LLC
    Inventor: Ernest Blas Betancourt
  • Patent number: 8856228
    Abstract: A method includes, but is not limited to: obtaining status information about one or more physical attributes associated with one or more first physical entities and one or more second physical entities, the one or more physical attributes each being perceived by one or more humans as being capable of having one or more effects upon one or more physical environments, obtaining input information from at least one of the one or more humans through at least in part one or more social networking services, the input information associated with at least one of the one or more physical attributes, and determining assessment information comparing the one or more first physical entities with the one or more second physical entities based at least in part upon the status information and based at least in part upon the input information. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Rob Bernard, Angel S. Calvo, Larry Cochrane, Jason Garms, Roderick A. Hyde, Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Jennifer Mame Pollard, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Rene A. Vega, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Feng Zhao
  • Patent number: 8768851
    Abstract: Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Appelman
  • Patent number: 8719186
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for itemizing energy consumption to generate and present a utility consumption profile based on disaggregated historical utility consumption data is disclosed. The computer-implemented method comprises obtaining data indicating historical utility consumption of a dwelling over a time period. A non-seasonal portion of the historical utility consumption data is then determined by first computing an average utility consumption based on one or more predetermined intervals within the time period, and then computing the non-seasonal portion by applying the average to the time period. The non-seasonal portion is then subtracted from the historical utility consumption data to obtain a seasonal portion of the historical utility consumption data. The seasonal and/or non-seasonal portion may be further disaggregated by end-use methods, and presented to the user in the utility consumption profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Ennovationz Inc.
    Inventors: Martha Amram, Doug Sauder
  • Patent number: 8719187
    Abstract: The invention refers to the technical field of the water supply measurement and control systems. The invention may be installed at the water connection of a user before or after a meter, and provides the necessary means and signals for the interconnection thereof. The system of the present invention comprises a Micro-controller device so the carried-out actions may be modified as per the water consumption market requirements, it further comprises a motorized valve which is connected at the user water connection. Each pulse transmitted from the meter is sensed by the System of the invention, updating a time window in a Real Time Clock, on which the updating of the volume permitted to a determined subscriber is registered. The volume consumed by the subscriber is compared with a stored reference at the memory of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Fernando Milanes Garcia-Moreno
  • Patent number: 8694168
    Abstract: A digital shower system contains a showering equipment including at least one first watering device and at least one second watering device; an input interface including a power key, a knob, an ok key, a return key, and a plurality of outlet switches; a valve unit including a motor, a mixing valve, and a number of outlet valves; a central process unit including a setting module, a time module, a memory module, a calculator module, and a water monitor module; and an indicator so that quantity of water use is known by the user to save water consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Jingyang Lin
  • Patent number: 8520811
    Abstract: The present invention enables users of a network service to register with the network as valued shoppers, thereby allowing them to receive specialized treatment when calling registered retailers. The present invention enables retailers to register with the network, thereby allowing them to set preferred service logic for handling valued customer calls by the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 8498920
    Abstract: A method and system to report the environmental benefits of consumers' purchases of alternative fuels. The system tracks and stores the purchases of customers from a vendor of alternative fuels. The system calculates the environmental savings that a customer generates by using alternative fuel in place of standard fuels. Environmental savings may be calculated in terms of various metrics, including reduced carbon emissions, gasoline not consumed, or other environmental benefits. The system provides a marketplace that allows consumers to receive the benefit of the calculated environmental savings by selling, trading, or retiring the generated savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Propel Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Elam, Michael Kudriavtseff
  • Publication number: 20130179374
    Abstract: A system includes a custody transfer system configured to transfer a gas fuel from a gas supply to a gas turbine. The custody transfer system includes a plurality of small flow meters running in parallel with each other, each of the small flow meters configured to obtain a measurement of a portion of a flow rate of the gas fuel flowing through the custody transfer system. Further, the custody transfer system includes a large flow meter in series with the plurality of small flow meters, configured to obtain a measurement of a flow rate of the gas fuel flowing from the plurality of small flow meters. Additionally, the custody transfer system includes communications circuitry coupled to each of the small flow meters and the large flow meter, configured to provide metering metrics to a flow computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Victor Hains, Brian Michael Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20130144811
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of computing a variable fuel price based on exhaust gas emission of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes an onboard unit fitted in a vehicle for measuring amount of exhaust gas emissions by the vehicle and a remote server communicatively connected to the onboard unit for computing a discount or surcharge on a base fuel price based on the amount of exhaust gas emissions by the vehicle. The system also includes a fuel station communicatively coupled to the remote server for filling fuel in a fuel tank of the vehicle at the discounted or surcharge fuel price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Ajith Kumar Padmalayam Narayana Kurup, Shanmugasundaram Murugesan, Gurbrinder Singh Bindra
  • Publication number: 20130110744
    Abstract: A system for calculating a cost for printing is disclosed herein. A method for calculating the cost includes receiving a print job including print job characteristics and determining a printer classification for a printer. A controlled representative volume of ink to print the print job is determined, responsive to the print job characteristics and the printer classification. The controlled representative volume of ink is independent of a variation within the printer classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Odhran Hendley, Eduardo Macias, William Jon Rittgers, Bryan Murphy, Michael Mulloy
  • Patent number: 8433471
    Abstract: A pre-filling vehicle data check method and system are disclosed herein. One example of the method includes receiving, at a financial institution, an authorization request from a filling station for initiating a filling event, where the authorization request includes a financial code. Via a computing device at the financial institution, the financial code is recognized as being associated with at least one of a vehicle identification number or a station identification associated with a vehicle, thereby identifying the vehicle. At least one parameter of the vehicle is identified via a computing device at a data center in selective communication with the vehicle and the financial institution, and an authorization or denial of the at least one filling event based at least upon the at least one parameter is transmitted from the computing device at the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Christensen, Michael D. Solomon, Carl J. Hering, Ryan M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8429095
    Abstract: A fluid delivery nozzle for wireless communication to either an active or a passive device located on a vehicle and for wireless communication from the fluid delivery nozzle to a central location for storage of vehicle data. Upon initiation of a fluid delivery transaction, a communication link is established between a vehicle communication device and the central location and between a fluid container of the vehicle and the fluid delivery nozzle. The information received from the vehicle and container is relayed to the central location to authorize delivery of a fluid to the vehicle. Information is also transferred from the central location back and forth to the fluid delivery nozzle to update and store information regarding the fluid delivery transaction. A keyboard and display are provided on the fluid delivery nozzle to provide an operator interface during the fluid delivery transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Michael C. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8429083
    Abstract: Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Appelman
  • Publication number: 20130066813
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating fuel price data for at least one fuel type of a plurality of fuel types, the method being implemented in a computer comprising a memory in communication with a processor. The method comprises receiving, as input to the processor, unassigned delivery capacity data, the unassigned delivery capacity data indicating delivery capacity available for any one of the plurality of fuel types, receiving, as input to the processor, assigned delivery capacity data, the assigned delivery capacity data indicating, for each fuel type of the plurality of fuel types, delivery capacity only available for the fuel type of the plurality of fuel types and processing, by the processor, the assigned delivery capacity data and the unassigned delivery capacity data to generate the fuel price data for the at least one fuel type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: KNOWLEDGE SUPPORT SYSTEMS LTD
    Inventor: David McCaffrey
  • Publication number: 20120233095
    Abstract: A method for estimating a fluid volume in a subterranean area of the earth. The method includes performing a preliminary analysis on a first geological sample and placing the first geological sample inside a chamber. The method may then include monitoring pressure change over time data inside the chamber and crushing the first geological sample. After crushing the first geological sample, the method may estimate the fluid volume based on the pressure change over time data and the preliminary analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph M. Evensen