David J Schanin

US Patent:

6389822, May 21, 2002

Filed:

May 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/579411

Inventors:

David J. Schanin - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

Bayview Technology Group, Incorporated - Denver CO

International Classification:

G05D 2300

US Classification:

62 89, 62231, 221150 R, 236 47

Abstract:

A refrigerated soda vending machine includes sensors for monitoring various parameters such as temperature within its refrigerated chamber and for monitoring occupancy in the vicinity of the chamber. The sensor data is used to determine when to switch between a normal mode of operation and a power-conservation mode of operation. In either mode of operation, a cooling system is regulated so that a compressor goes on when an upper internal temperature threshold is reached and off when a lower internal temperature threshold is reached. In the normal mode of operating, fans circulate air within the chamber to maintain a relatively uniform temperature throughout the chamber. During power-conservation mode, the fans are off most of the time the compressor is off. In the absence of circulation, the temperature within the refrigerated chamber stratifies so that a lower cool zone and an upper warm zone can be differentiated. Soda cans are held in vertical stacks so that the lowest cans are located in the cool zone.

US Patent:

6581396, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

May 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/151513

Inventors:

David J. Schanin - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

Bayview Technology Group, LLC - Denver CO

International Classification:

F25B 100

US Classification:

62180, 236 47, 221150 R

Abstract:

A refrigerated soda vending machine includes sensors for monitoring various parameters such as temperature within its refrigerated chamber and for monitoring occupancy in the chamber vicinity. Sensor data is used to determine when to switch between normal and power-conservation modes of operation. In either mode, a cooling system is regulated so that a compressor goes on when an upper internal temperature threshold is reached and off when a lower internal temperature threshold is reached. In normal mode, fans circulate air to maintain a relatively uniform temperature throughout the chamber. During power-conservation mode, the fans are mostly off when the compressor is off. In the absence of circulation, the temperature within the refrigerated chamber stratifies so that a lower cool zone and an upper warm zone can be differentiated. Soda cans are held in vertical stacks so that the lowest cans are located in the cool zone.

US Patent:

6801836, Oct 5, 2004

Filed:

Jul 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/899499

Inventors:

David J. Schanin - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

USA Technologies, Inc. - Malvern PA

International Classification:

G05D 1100

US Classification:

700295, 700297, 62 89, 307 39

Abstract:

A refrigerated vending machine provides separate power conservation modes for the cooling system and the panel lights. Power conservation for the panel lights takes into account whether the vending machine is located indoors or outdoors. The location can be indicated by a setting by the vending machine operator or may be determined automatically according to maximum brightness or color temperature. If the vending machine is outdoors, the panel lights are turned off when the ambient is bright (to save energy when the panel lights are not needed) and turned on when the ambient is dark (to attract customers). If the vending machine is indoors, the panel lights are turned off when the ambient is dark (since the room is presumably vacant) and turned on when the ambient is bright (indicating the room is in use). Optionally, an occupancy sensor can be used to turn off the panel lights if the room light is on but no one has been detected in it. The cooling system uses a conservation mode in which circulation fans are switched off so only items in a position to be dispensed first or second are kept at the desired temperature.

US Patent:

6898942, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Jan 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/350567

Inventors:

David J. Schanin - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

USA Technologies, Inc. - Malvern PA

International Classification:

G05D023/32
A24F027/14

US Classification:

62158, 221150 R, 2221466, 236 47

Abstract:

A refrigerated appliance that dispenses items includes a power source and a cooling system. Power control circuitry is electrically coupled between a power source (e. g. , power cord coupled to a wall outlet) and components (for example, a compressor and one or more circulating fans of the cooling system) of the appliance. A controller, which is operably coupled to the power control circuitry, is adapted to manage the supply of electrical power to such components by intelligently transitioning between a normal-operation mode and at least one power-conserving mode. To achieve efficient power conservation, the controller automatically transitions between the at least one power-conserving mode and the normal-operation mode based upon at least one temperature signal, at least one dispensing event signal, and possibly other data signals supplied to the controller.

US Patent:

6931869, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

Jun 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/462453

Inventors:

David J. Schanin - San Carlos CA, US

Assignee:

USA Technologies, Inc. - Malvern PA

International Classification:

B62D005/62

US Classification:

62180, 62231, 700240

Abstract:

A refrigerated vending machine for dispensing items (such as soda cans or other beverage containers) includes a power source and a cooling system (e. g. , evaporator, condenser, compressor, circulating fan). Power control circuitry selectively provides electrically coupling of at least one component of the cooling system to the power source. A controller, operably coupled to the power control circuitry, is adapted to control the power control circuitry in a power-conserving mode of operation and in a normal-operation mode. The controller automatically transitions from the power-conserving mode to the normal-operation mode based upon an activity event signal. The activity event signal may be provided by an occupancy sensor that senses occupancy in the vicinity of the refrigerated appliance. Alternatively, the activity event signal may represent vending activity (e. g. , money insertion).

US Patent:

6975926, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

Nov 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/291066

Inventors:

David J. Schanin - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

USA Technologies, Inc. - Malvern PA

International Classification:

G05D023/00

US Classification:

700296, 700276, 236 46 R, 62157

Abstract:

Power-management control methods and apparatus are disclosed. Power-management control is achieved by monitoring operational characteristics (such as current, compressor relay control signals, internal temperature) of an appliance during an extended period of operation, analyzing such operational characteristics to derive a characteristic cycle time of the cooling system of the appliance, and automatically decoupling the appliance from a power source in response to control signals provided by sensor(s). The appliance may be automatically coupled to the power source after expiration of a shutdown time period, which is automatically adjusted by the power management control system based upon the characteristic cycle time of the cooling system.

US Patent:

7200467, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

Oct 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/254994

Inventors:

David J. Schanin - Denver CO, US
Daniel Bernard van der Hoop - Boulder CO, US

Assignee:

USA Technologies, Inc. - Malvern PA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700231, 62 364, 624574

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus that manage electric power consumed by an appliance are disclosed. The appliance has an interior accessible by consumers through a door having an open state and a closed state. The appliance includes a cooling system having at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for cooling the interior of the appliance. Power consumption is managed by monitoring the appliance to identify the open state of the door and transitioning the cooling system of the appliance from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation responsive at least in part to identification of the open state of the door.

US Patent:

7286907, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Jul 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/901615

Inventors:

David Schanin - Denver CO, US
Dan van der Hoop - Boulder CO, US
Gary Strong - Arvada CO, US

Assignee:

USA Technologies, Inc. - Malvern PA

International Classification:

F25B 1/00
G06F 19/00
G05D 3/12
F25B 49/00

US Classification:

700300, 700295, 700231, 700232, 700240, 622281, 62230, 381 712

Abstract:

A refrigerated appliance that dispenses items for use with a power source and includes a cooling system. Power control circuitry is electrically coupled between the power source and components (for example, a compressor and one or more circulating fans of the cooling system) of the appliance. A controller, which is operably coupled to the power control circuitry, is adapted to manage the supply of electrical power to such components by intelligently transitioning between a normal-operation mode and at least one power-conserving mode. To achieve efficient power conservation, an audio signal detector is provided that generates at least one dispensing event signal that represents the occurrence of one or more sound-based dispensing events. The controller automatically transitions between the power-conserving mode(s) and the normal-operation mode based upon at least one dispensing event data signal supplied to the controller by the audio signal detector, and possibly other data signals supplied to the controller.