Jonathan D Guthrie

US Patent:

20030028285, Feb 6, 2003

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/036656

Inventors:

Christopher Zura - Houston TX, US
Robert Stout - Houston TX, US
Jonathan Guthrie - Houston TX, US
Chris Duhon - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ADDITECH, INC. - HOUSTON TX

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

700/241000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for fuel and fuel additive dispensing is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a programmable intermediary module is disposed in the path of communication of control and data signals between a fuel dispenser station and a point-of-sale (POS) controller subsystem. The intermediary module is programmable to intercept communications (control and data signals) transmitted between the dispenser and the POS controller, such that it can monitor, inject, intercept, filter, capture, convert, and/or modify communications between the fuel dispenser and and the POS controller. The intermediary module enables various enhanced control, monitoring, and reporting functions to be performed remotely and automatically. Further, the intermediary module enables various retail transactions to be integrated into a conventional fueling transaction without the necessity of extensive modification to an existing POS control subsystem. Additionally, the system supports a variety of interactive, real-time promotional and advertising operations to be conducted at the fueling station. In the disclosed embodiment, the intermediary module is coupled to and programmed and controlled by a control module which itself is coupled by a link to a central server. The server is preferably Internet-connected, and may additionally be functionally coupled to a local or wide-area network associated with the fuel retailer.

US Patent:

20170288975, Oct 5, 2017

Filed:

Mar 26, 2015

Appl. No.:

15/507333

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Jonathan R. Guthrie - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

H04L 12/24
H04L 12/46
H04L 12/423

Abstract:

Examples associated with ring network uplink designation are disclosed. One example includes detecting an operable connection between a member of a ring network and an external network. The operable connection may be detected by the member of the ring network. A signal is provided to a ring network management daemon. The signal may indicate the member of the ring network has the operable connection to the external network. A signal is received from the ring network management daemon. The signal may designate the ring network as an active uplink to the external network. The operable connection between the ring network and the external network is activated. Once activated, the operable connection may facilitate communication between members of the ring network and the external network.