Patents by Inventor Michael Alvin Lembke

Michael Alvin Lembke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11580812
    Abstract: Sensor-equipped display management systems and methods that may be used to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. Additionally, the systems and methods may be used to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke
  • Patent number: 11397914
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Thomas Johnson, John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke, Joseph Christian Ernest
  • Publication number: 20200066084
    Abstract: Sensor-equipped display management systems and methods that may be used to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. Additionally, the systems and methods may be used to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke
  • Patent number: 10535216
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke
  • Publication number: 20190220805
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Bradley Thomas Johnson, John Wesley Swafford, JR., Michael Alvin Lembke, Joseph Christian Ernest
  • Patent number: 10210478
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Thomas Johnson, John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke, Joseph Christian Ernest
  • Publication number: 20180189727
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley Thomas Johnson, John Wesley Swafford, JR., Michael Alvin Lembke, Joseph Christian Ernest
  • Patent number: 9898712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information along a shelf edge of a retailer is described. On a display configured to be oriented along an edge of a shelf of a retailer, a first user interface including first information about a first product on the shelf is provided. At least one second user interface including at least one second information about at least one second product on the shelf is provided on the display. An individual is permitted to edit a parameter of the first user interface and/or the at least one second user interface. The parameter may include at least one of: a size of the user interface on the display, a shape of the user interface on the display, and a location of the user interface on the display. The first information and the at least one second information may be outputted concurrently to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Thomas Johnson, John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke, Joseph Christian Ernest
  • Publication number: 20180047243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, JR., Michael Alvin Lembke
  • Patent number: 9805539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke
  • Publication number: 20140299620
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, JR., Michael Alvin Lembke
  • Patent number: 8812378
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting and communicating the position of a pusher assembly on a shelf. In an embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and a laser scanner. The laser scanner is configured to transmit a swept beam to a mirrored reflective surface located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the laser beam at the laser scanner to detect the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf. In another embodiment, a system includes a control module, a pusher assembly, and an infrared transceiver that sends and receives infrared signals. The transceiver may be located behind the pusher assembly. The control module analyzes the infrared signals to determine the position of the pusher assembly on the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke
  • Patent number: 7792711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for tracking product on a shelf. In an embodiment, an indicia strip is placed on a self coiling sheet, and a sensor is configured to read the indicia strip. The data on the indicia strip corresponds to the location of a pusher assembly. In an embodiment, a store computer can use the data regarding the location of the pusher assembly to determine the amount of inventory on the shelf. In an embodiment, the store computer can automatically order additional inventory based on the levels of inventory on the shelf. In an embodiment, a deviation from normal customer purchasing habits can be used to prompt security measures so as to reduce the possibility of product theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wesley Swafford, Jr., Michael Alvin Lembke