Bryan Wayne Godwin

US Patent:

7167892, Jan 23, 2007

Filed:

Nov 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/722954

Inventors:

Erin M. Defossé - Austin TX, US
James M. Canter - Austin TX, US
Bryan W. Godwin - Round Rock TX, US

Assignee:

Isochron, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709200, 700237

Abstract:

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for collecting, storing and communicating vending machine transaction data. The system preferably includes an embedded data collection and storage device that, when placed inside a vending machine, will collect both DEX and MDB data using a combination of ad-hoc scheduling and trigger-based events. In addition, the embedded data collection and storage device may collect transaction data concerning handheld transactions as well as vending machine error transactions, including timestamps. Functionality operable to permit handheld computer communication with the vending machine, as well as at least a cashless media transaction device may also be included. Data transferred to the handheld computer may be subsequently communicated to one or more host applications or credit agencies.

US Patent:

7523182, Apr 21, 2009

Filed:

Nov 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/304611

Inventors:

Bryan W. Godwin - Round Rock TX, US

Assignee:

Isochron, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

G06F 17/60

US Classification:

709223, 709224, 702188, 702 35, 702185

Abstract:

A method, system and apparatus for identifying malfunctioning remote devices, such as point of sale devices, are disclosed. In operation, a performance history for one or more remote devices is built and a normal operating day is determined from the performance history. Also extracted from this performance history are average and variance values for various aspects of satisfactory remote device performance. During remote device evaluations, the current operating performance of each remote device is compared with the normal day and the average and variance values for the respective remote device. For remote devices operating outside of the normal day, average and variances values, a likelihood estimate that the remote device is actually malfunctioning is calculated. For remote devices determined likely to be malfunctioning, an approximation of the remote device's losses are made such that the remote device with the greatest losses may be prioritized for maintenance or other purposes.

US Patent:

7778600, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Oct 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/539331

Inventors:

Bryan W. Godwin - Round Rock TX, US
James M. Canter - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

H04B 5/00

US Classification:

455 411, 455526, 455 73, 455 412, 4555521, 4554141, 701200, 701213, 34082536, 34082549

Abstract:

A controller may be provided to monitor and record various activities associated with remotely located equipment, e. g. a vending machine or a service vehicle. The controller may also be operable to communicate over multiple wireless communication paths with remotely located equipment, handheld devices and/or a network operations center over multiple wireless networks.

US Patent:

7997484, Aug 16, 2011

Filed:

Dec 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/612312

Inventors:

Bryan W. Godwin - Round Rock TX, US
James M. Canter - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G06F 7/08

US Classification:

235381

Abstract:

A field asset such as a vending machine includes a coin acceptor, a bill validator, and a card reader all operatively connected to a shared bus. A rich content display device displays color graphics and an extended function adapter (EFA) coupled to the shared bus includes a rich content agent (RCA) to manage rich content displayed on the display. The RCA may include a content management agent (CMA) coupled to a rich content player that executes rich content file for display on the display device. The EFA may include a cashless agent to generate procedural state information. The CMA detects the procedural state information and controls the presentation of rich content on the display device based at least in part on the detected procedural state information. The EFA may include an analytic agent to determine a substantive state of the vending machine including an inventory state and an environmental state.

US Patent:

8005425, Aug 23, 2011

Filed:

Apr 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/279174

Inventors:

Erin M. Defossé - Austin TX, US
Bryan W. Godwin - Round Rock TX, US
William A. English - Austin TX, US
Jizhi Wu - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

H04B 5/00

US Classification:

455 41, 4555521

Abstract:

A wireless interface module interfaces a machine control system, such as a vending machine controller, with one of plural wireless networks through one of plural removably coupled wireless transceivers. Communication between geographically distributed vending machines and a desired wireless network is supported by coupling a transceiver associated with the desired network to the wireless interface module. This advantageously provides flexibility in selecting from one of plural wireless networks for a distributed vending machine so that communication between the control system and a distal operating center is supported over a preferred wireless network through a standardized wireless interface module incorporated in the vending machine by changing the wireless transceiver removably coupled to the wireless interface module.

US Patent:

8484068, Jul 9, 2013

Filed:

Dec 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/302759

Inventors:

Bryan W. Godwin - Round Rock TX, US
William J. Kalter - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Crane Merchandising systems, Inc. - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

705 731, 705 729

Abstract:

A method and system are provided for estimating consumer demand at remotely located equipment and establishing dispatch schedules for servicing the remotely located equipment. Data from the remotely located equipment may be classified into a hierarchy or various levels of reliability for use in calculating a consumer demand estimate for each product and/or each service available at the remotely located equipment. A full set of sales data for each product or service over multiple time intervals with no equipment problems, no out of stock conditions and no other operating problems may be classified as the highest level of reliability and predictability possible for calculating a consumer demand estimate. The lowest level of data used to calculate a consumer demand estimate may be a historical average of daily sales for all products or services sold over a long period of time at the remotely located equipment.

US Patent:

8533315, Sep 10, 2013

Filed:

Oct 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/923785

Inventors:

Bryan W. Godwin - Round Rock TX, US

Assignee:

Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc. - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G06F 15/173

US Classification:

709224, 700244, 235383, 235385, 235381

Abstract:

A system and method for monitoring performance of field assets are disclosed. A method may include transmitting packets on a shared bus located in a field asset may be captured. The captured packets may be analyzed to determine one or more operational parameters associated with one or more peripheral devices coupled to the shared bus. The one or more operational parameters may be analyzed to determine an operational efficiency of the field asset.

US Patent:

20030003865, Jan 2, 2003

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/895647

Inventors:

Erin Defosse - Austin TX, US
Bryan Godwin - Round Rock TX, US
William English - Austin TX, US
Jizhi Wu - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

H04B005/00

US Classification:

455/041000, 455/426000, 455/517000

Abstract:

A wireless interface module interfaces a machine control system, such as a vending machine controller, with one of plural wireless networks through one of plural removably coupled wireless transceivers. Communication between geographically distributed vending machines and a desired wireless network is supported by coupling a transceiver associated with the desired network to the wireless interface module. This advantageously provides flexibility in selecting from one of plural wireless networks for a distributed vending machine so that communication between the control system and a distal operating center is supported over a preferred wireless network through a standardized wireless interface module incorporated in the vending machine by changing the wireless transceiver removably coupled to the wireless interface module.