Patents Assigned to W. W. Grainger, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11836977
    Abstract: A search processing system receives a search query having information indicative of an object of interest, such as an image. The search processing system uses the received search query to locate data for use in creating a computer-generated model of a product determined to be a match for the object of interest. A display generating device uses the data to create the computer-generated model of the product and causes the computer-generated model of the product to be displayed a display associated with the display generating device and/or to be projected onto a surface whereby the computer-generated model of the product can be accurately compared with an image of the object of interest or the object of interest itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Ojasve Srikanth, Fouad Bousetouane, Nirav Saraiya
  • Patent number: 11836182
    Abstract: A system and method compares an image of an object of interest captured by an image capturing device from a first positional view relative to the object of interest against each of a plurality of images of each of a plurality of reference objects wherein each of the plurality of images of each of the plurality of reference objects is reflective of a unique positional view of the corresponding one of the plurality of reference objects to determine a second positional view relative to the object of interest at which the image capturing device is to be positioned to capture a further image of the product of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffry A. Westphal
  • Patent number: 11836678
    Abstract: A method for providing automated inventory management in a system having a storage bin, an accelerometer system coupled to the storage bin, and an inventory management system communicatively coupled to the accelerometer system. An accelerometer of the accelerometer system generates a data representative of a movement of the storage bin and the system determines whether the generated data matches a data that is indicative of a replenishment needed event being performed upon the storage bin. The inventory management system initiates the replenishment of the product when replenishment is determined to be needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffry A Westphal
  • Patent number: 11682064
    Abstract: Purchase history data is used to automatically create links within a data repository between product sold via an electronic vendor system and a plurality of shopping carts. When a customer performs a search for product, the vendor system queries the data repository to retrieve the plurality of shopping carts that have been linked to the product that is associated within the data repository to the search request. A plurality of customer interface elements, each corresponding to a one of the plurality of shopping carts, is then presented as a result to the search query. A selection of a one of the customer interface elements causes the vendor system to add one or more of the product to the corresponding one of the plurality of shopping carts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffry A. Westphal, Siddarth Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 11301876
    Abstract: The example systems and methods provide ways for websites to monitor, store, retrieve, and display navigation tendencies of users of websites. More particularly, the systems and methods involve websites displaying measures of user traffic associated with various categories of web content. The measures of user traffic may inform a user of how the user previously navigated the various hierarchical categories of web content, or the measures of user traffic may inform a user of how others navigate the various hierarchical categories of web content. Moreover, the user may select an identifiable group of users for which the website will display navigation tendencies. In the alternative, the website may display navigation tendencies of an identifiable group of users based on an identity of the user viewing the website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffry A. Westphal
  • Patent number: 11201802
    Abstract: An infrastructure metrics measuring process provides relevant infrastructure metrics for components of a monitored system. The process retrieves and stores application user data for a plurality of applications running on a network system and operating system statistics for at least one operating system running at least one of the plurality of application running on a network system. The data is aggregated into at least one of a transactional data stream and a non-transactional data stream and correlated onto a common time scale. The correlated aggregated data stream is then graphically displayed to a user to further analysis by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Sidi, Stephen S. Haskell, Abhijit Naik, Deepak Rathi
  • Patent number: 11182421
    Abstract: A system and method compares an image of an object of interest captured by an image capturing device from a first positional view relative to the object of interest against each of a plurality of images of each of a plurality of reference objects wherein each of the plurality of images of each of the plurality of reference objects is reflective of a unique positional view of the corresponding one of the plurality of reference objects to determine a second positional view relative to the object of interest at which the image capturing device is to be positioned to capture a further image of the product of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffry A. Westphal
  • Patent number: 11144932
    Abstract: An account ribbon of a website has a plurality of message fields each having a link activatable to cause a display of a type of user related information. Continued access to the user related is provided by causing the account ribbon to be persisted across plural webpages of the website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Miller, Jason Brownewell, Rosa Manfredi, Geoffry A. Westphal
  • Patent number: 11049155
    Abstract: A system and method for use in presenting information relevant to a product catalog. The system receives a search request and presents to a user in a two-dimensional format a plurality of iconic images each representative of a page of a product catalog. Each of the iconic images is activatable to cause a display of an image of the page of the product catalog represented by the iconic image. One or more of the presented plurality of iconic images that are linked to a page of the product catalog having a product responsive to the search request are highlighted to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffry A. Westphal
  • Patent number: 11037220
    Abstract: A systems and methods for providing a search refinement tools that incorporate contextual information, such as supply chain information is disclosed. In general, the example methods and systems provide the customer with the ability to refine search results on an e-commerce website using previously stored historical supply chain information. Supply chain information refers to historical information about a purchaser and the purchaser's previous purchases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffry A. Westphal
  • Patent number: 10977608
    Abstract: A method for managing inventory within a supply chain. The method is performed by providing forecasts of demand for items distributed within the supply chain, using the forecasts to establish base stocking levels and reorder points within the supply chain, and using the established base stocking levels and reorder points to position items within the supply chain so as to maximize efficiency and profitability when responding to an order for an item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Scheer
  • Patent number: 10824989
    Abstract: An inventory management system includes a beacon or button connected to a warehouse server. The beacon buttons are placed in or near a product storage area with a number of products. The beacon has a controller and a transceiver to communicate with a server. There is a user input on the front of the beacon and several sensors able to detect a user identity and interaction with the products. When the user input is triggered, the beacon sends a message to the warehouse server including a user identity and other sensor data. Additionally, the beacon includes an energy harvester configured to power the beacon from ambient or user provided energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffry A. Westphal, Ray “Qianyu” Rui, Eun Sem Kil, Jerry Shim, Svetlana Kharlamova
  • Patent number: 10698946
    Abstract: A system and method compares an image of an object of interest captured by an image capturing device from a first positional view relative to the object of interest against each of a plurality of images of each of a plurality of reference objects wherein each of the plurality of images of each of the plurality of reference objects is reflective of a unique positional view of the corresponding one of the plurality of reference objects to determine a second positional view relative to the object of interest at which the image capturing device is to be positioned to capture a further image of the product of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffry A. Westphal
  • Patent number: 10687173
    Abstract: A current geographic location of a mobile device, such as a smart phone, tablet computer, or the like, is used to customize a selection guide that is used to retrieve product related information. The product related information generally provides details about one or more products meeting one or more criteria specified via use of the customized selection guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffry A. Westphal, Mary Bee Pietrowicz
  • Patent number: D954077
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Rahate, Matt Leigh
  • Patent number: D954078
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Rahate, Matt Leigh
  • Patent number: D954079
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Rahate, Matt Leigh
  • Patent number: D954080
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Rahate, Matt Leigh
  • Patent number: D957414
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Rahate, Matt Leigh
  • Patent number: D957415
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Rahate, Matt Leigh