John David Edwards

Bio: John David Edwards is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Card reader & Regression analysis. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 62 citations.

Dispensing system and security card for use therewith

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing items desired by the user in response to the introduction of a valid security card and additional predetermined information. The apparatus includes means for reading data from the security card, keyboard means for introducing additional information and electronic logic for determining the validity of the card and the validity of the predetermined information. A security card is provided including a first area to record the number of uses of said card and a second area to record the date of the last use. The apparatus includes logic to prevent dispensing and to retain the card if the card has been used more than a predetermined number of times or more than once within a predetermined time interval.

Machine learning-aided engineering services' cost overruns prediction in high-rise residential building projects: Application of random forest regression

Abstract: Current approaches to automating cost estimation mainly focus on construction costs. Yet, the two main services provided by design firms, namely ‘designing the project’, and ‘supervision of construction operations’ labelled as engineering services, despite their comparatively low cost, can significantly affect the total cost of construction projects as they can engender reworks, changes and disputes on project participants during the subsequent stages of the project. Continuous evaluation of engineering services' cost overruns (ESCO) is quintessentially important in order to prevent consequential problems later on in the project's development and use. Consequently, this research proposes a robust random forest (RF) regression model to predict ESCOs considering both project-related and organizational-related variables. A database consisting of 95 high-rise residential building projects designed during the past eight years in Iran, along with 12 related variables, were collected to develop and validate the model. The results were also compared with those of support vector regression (SVR) and multiple linear regression (MLR), which indicated that with an R2 value of 0.8680 and mean-absolute-error (MAE) of 3.88, the RF regression model performs better than those baseline models, namely SVR and MLR. This research presents two main contributions to the existing body of knowledge. From the practical point of view, it provides an efficient tool for design firms enabling them to screen and prioritize their projects from the cost overrun standpoint and to devise a contingency plan for them. From the theoretical point of view, it revealed that to mitigate ESCOs, three key factors should be given thorough consideration, namely: ‘the level of computer-aided design technologies adoption’; ‘level of communication among the project team’; and scope definition adequacy’ – cumulatively, these three factors contribute to 52.35% of ESCO variations.

Apparatus for reproducing programmed selections of data recorded in coded form on magnetic cards

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for reproducing programmed selections of blocks of data recorded in coded form in a plurality of separate tracks on a magnetic card, the selection being made in accordance with a program of instructions recorded in separate blocks on the same or a further magnetic card. The apparatus includes a magnetic card reader for reading from a card the series of instruction characters forming a program, a program store for temporarily storing the program thus reproduced, decoding means for decoding each instruction character taken from the program store, and a magnetic card reader for reading selections of data from a card in accordance with the decoded instructions. The reproduced data may be printed out or otherwise displayed, or transmitted to other apparatus.

System and method for incentive programs and award fulfillment

Abstract: A method and system for providing incentive programs over a computer network is provided in which a host may provide sponsoring companies with the capability to buy prepackaged or self-built incentive programs, offer such incentive programs to consumers, provide sponsoring companies and retailers with the capability to associate prizes with incentive programs, provide sponsoring companies, retailers and consumers with convenient fulfillment of prizes, and store and manipulate databases regarding all of the foregoing.

Cashless method for a gaming system

Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket. After reading, the ticket is delivered into a ticket bin, which is secured by means of a lock internally in the housing.

Restricted purpose, commercial, monetary regulation method

Abstract: A restricted purpose, commercial, monetary regulation method is provided whereby a network is established between the business user, the acceptor of the restricted purpose card and a financial institution so that the business user obtains a unique identification number that enables him to purchase only one specific product or service from the acceptor. As a result, employers are free to give this card to employees without endangering the employees by entrusting them with large sums of cash or currency and while also ensuring any use of the card will be for a purpose authorized by the business. Once the validity of the card is authenticated, the transaction is completed by the acceptor, the information is transferred to financial institution and the funds are transferred from the user's account to the acceptor's account. An audit trail is provided by the assignment of a unique transaction number to each transaction and statements are provided to the user and the acceptor detailing the specifics of each transaction over a period of time.

Automatic bank note transaction apparatus

Abstract: An automatic bank note transaction apparatus comprises a first unit detachably mounted in a housing and including safes disposed at one side thereof and a second unit provided in the housing, adjacent to and detachably mounted on the first unit and connected to a bank note dispensing port of the housing. Since the first unit can be turned back to front with respect to the second unit, the most suitable operating mode, that is, a front-operation mode or a rear-operation mode, can be arbitrarily set in accordance with the installation position of the apparatus. Therefore, the bank can install and deploy the apparatus in any location, resulting in low cost and convenience.

Apparatus and method for using unique charge cards dispensed from a vending machine

Abstract: A dispensing machine (10) is accessed repeatedly by a card issued by the machine. The machine comprises storage bins (12) for holding and dispensing a plurality of products. A memory unit (22) is included for storing information including representations of credit information, customer identification code information and product location information. A computer processor (20) accesses information in the memory unit (22) and enters information into the memory unit (22). A credit card reader (24) responds to information from a credit card used by a customer for transferring credit for the customer to the computer processor (20) for storage in the memory unit (22). A key pad (26) is used by the customer for inputting credit amount to the computer processor (20). A customer card dispenser (36) responds to the computer processor (20) to dispense a customer card. The customer card can be read by a customer card reader in the machine coupled to the computer processor (20) for obtaining representations of information from the customer card and for communicating them to the computer processor.