Patents by Inventor Benjamin D. Enssle
Benjamin D. Enssle 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).
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Publication number: 20240095672Abstract: An analysis of the scans is performed to determine whether the selected item was moved from the back room to the shelf, then returned from the shelf to the back room. The analysis also determines a re-bin time when the selected product was returned to the back room. An adjustment to the PI is blocked when last PI adjustment time is later than the re-bin time. An adjustment to the PI is also blocked when an audit indicator is received at the interface indicating that the retail store is under an audit. An adjusted PI value is determined when the analysis indicates that the selected item was moved from the back room to the shelf, then returned from the shelf, the adjusted PI value being at least one more than the shelf capacity value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20240046205Abstract: An electronic indication of a nil pick is received. Item information associated with the desired product, sales data concerning the desired product, supply chain information associated with the desired product, and a perpetual inventory (PI) value of the desired product are stored. An adjustment to the PI of the desired product is blocked when a predetermined event occurs at the retail store, or when information that contradicts the validity of the nil pick is received from the retail store. When the adjustment to the PI of the desired product is not blocked, an amount of the adjustment is determined based upon one or more of: the item information associated with the product, the sales data concerning the product, and the supply chain information associated with the desired product.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20240013148Abstract: A perpetual inventory (PI) value associated with the selected product and a last PI adjustment time that indicates when the retail store last adjusted the PI value are received. The PI value of the selected product is compared to the back room quantity value of the selected product, and a time when the back room quantity value becomes greater than the PI value for the selected product is determined. An adjustment to the PI of the selected product is blocked when the PI adjustment time is after the time. When the back room quantity value is greater than the PI value and the adjustment to the PI value is unblocked, the PI value is adjusted to be the back room quantity value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
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Patent number: 11868960Abstract: An analysis of the scans is performed to determine whether the selected item was moved from the back room to the shelf, then returned from the shelf to the back room. The analysis also determines a re-bin time when the selected product was returned to the back room. An adjustment to the PI is blocked when last PI adjustment time is later than the re-bin time. An adjustment to the PI is also blocked when an audit indicator is received at the interface indicating that the retail store is under an audit. An adjusted PI value is determined when the analysis indicates that the selected item was moved from the back room to the shelf, then returned from the shelf, the adjusted PI value being at least one more than the shelf capacity value.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
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Patent number: 11853963Abstract: Examples provide a system for cold-chain compliant item selection. A set of perishable items are selected for retrieval by a user based on item data, cold-chain compliance score(s), and/or cold-chain compliance restrictions associated with each user. The selected set of items are assigned to the user for retrieval in accordance with a set of cold-chain compliance parameters, including a per-item maximum dwell-time specifying a maximum time interval between removal of a perishable item from a temperature-controlled display area and receipt of the perishable item at an intake area. A dwell-time is calculated for an item received at an intake area. The item is accepted if the per-item maximum dwell-time exceeds the calculated dwell-time and the item is rejected if the calculated dwell-time exceeds the per-item maximum dwell-time. An incentive is provided to the identified user based on a cold-chain compliance score for the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
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Patent number: 11816628Abstract: An electronic indication of a nil pick is received. Item information associated with the desired product, sales data concerning the desired product, supply chain information associated with the desired product, and a perpetual inventory (PI) value of the desired product are stored. An adjustment to the PI of the desired product is blocked when a predetermined event occurs at the retail store, or when information that contradicts the validity of the nil pick is received from the retail store. When the adjustment to the PI of the desired product is not blocked, an amount of the adjustment is determined based upon one or more of: the item information associated with the product, the sales data concerning the product, and the supply chain information associated with the desired product.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
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Patent number: 11797929Abstract: A perpetual inventory (PI) value associated with the selected product and a last PI adjustment time that indicates when the retail store last adjusted the PI value are received. The PI value of the selected product is compared to the back room quantity value of the selected product, and a time when the back room quantity value becomes greater than the PI value for the selected product is determined. An adjustment to the PI of the selected product is blocked when the PI adjustment time is after the time. When the back room quantity value is greater than the PI value and the adjustment to the PI value is unblocked, the PI value is adjusted to be the back room quantity value.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT OF PERPETUAL INVENTORY VALUES BASED UPON CUSTOMER PRODUCT PURCHASES
Publication number: 20230334422Abstract: A data structure programmatically links the first product to a second product. The second product is historically purchased by the customer whenever the customer has also purchased the first product. A determination is made as to whether the customer purchased the second product together with the first product based upon the sales data. When the customer has failed to purchase the second product with the first product, instructions are transmitted to the retail store over the network to perform a verification that the second product is out-of-stock. An outcome of the verification from the retail store is received via the network. A determination is made as to a level of certainty that the second product is actually out-of-stock based upon an analysis of the sales data and the outcome of the verification. When the level of certainty exceeds a predetermined threshold, the PI value is adjusted to zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones -
System and method for management of perpetual inventory values based upon customer product purchases
Patent number: 11715066Abstract: A data structure programmatically links the first product to a second product. The second product is historically purchased by the customer whenever the customer has also purchased the first product. A determination is made as to whether the customer purchased the second product together with the first product based upon the sales data. When the customer has failed to purchase the second product with the first product, instructions are transmitted to the retail store over the network to perform a verification that the second product is out-of-stock. An outcome of the verification from the retail store is received via the network. A determination is made as to a level of certainty that the second product is actually out-of-stock based upon an analysis of the sales data and the outcome of the verification. When the level of certainty exceeds a predetermined threshold, the PI value is adjusted to zero.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones -
Patent number: 11645639Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to monitor and adjust perpetual inventory (PI). Some embodiments comprise multiple point of sale (POS) systems; an inventory system and a perpetual inventory (PI) engine control circuit that receives inventory information and is configured to identify the occurrence of a plurality of different events each associated with a different product at a shopping facility and corresponding to a potential inconsistency in a determined inventory count; and for each of the events: identify a first set of inventory evaluation rules; apply the first set of inventory evaluation rules to determine a type of inventory count error; determine an inventory adjustment action to be implemented based on the first product and the determined error type; and cause the inventory adjustment action to be implemented in substantially real-time to adjust the determined inventory count of the first product at the first shopping facility.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Daniel R. Shields, Greg A. Bryan, Matthew A. Jones
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Patent number: 11501251Abstract: Scans of a selected product on shelves of a retail store are obtained and the scans are transmitted over a network via a transceiver circuit. A perpetual inventory (PI) value is stored for a selected product in a database. A data structure includes a first category and first actions programmatically linked to the first category. When the selected product is out-of-stock and when the PI value is greater than a predetermined threshold, one or more of the first actions associated with the first category are performed.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones
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Patent number: 11449828Abstract: A priority is dynamically assigned to each of the inventory-related values. A confidence score is determined based upon an evaluation of all of the prioritized inventory-related values. Based upon the confidence score, one or more PI programs for the retail store is authorized for utilization. The number of inventory-related values used and the priorities for these values are dynamically changeable.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle
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Patent number: 11443276Abstract: Examples provide a system for dynamic allocation of supplemental space to items based on predicted variable demand. Item data is analyzed using a set of item selection criteria to identify an item located within a predetermined distance of available flex-space associated with a topstock shelf which has a predicted time-supply predicted to be less than a threshold time-supply during a predicted time-period. A portion of flex-space sufficient to increase the time-supply enough to meet the predicted increase in demand is identified. Additional instances of the item are assigned to the portion of the flex-space during the predetermined time-period. When an expiration date for the flex-space assignment occurs, remaining instances of the item in the portion of the flex-space are removed. The portion of the flex-space is assigned to a next item predicted to experience temporary context-dependent increased demand exceeding time-supply and/or capacity of permanent display space of the item.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Cristy Crane Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton
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Patent number: 11282157Abstract: A shelving system includes customer shelves, and a top shelf is positioned generally above the customer shelves. The top shelf and a back room are not accessible to the public, but the customer shelves are accessible to the public. First scans of the top shelf and second scans of the customer shelves and back room inventory values for the selected product are obtained. A determination is made as whether there is inventory of the selected product in the back room. When there is available space on the top shelf, when the available space is within a predetermined distance of the location, and when there is inventory of the selected product in the back room, instructions are transmitted to an automated vehicle to cause the automated vehicle to selectively move at least some of the selected product from the back room to the top shelf.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle
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Publication number: 20220027842Abstract: Examples provide a system for cold-chain compliant item selection. A set of perishable items are selected for retrieval by a user based on item data, cold-chain compliance score(s), and/or cold-chain compliance restrictions associated with each user. The selected set of items are assigned to the user for retrieval in accordance with a set of cold-chain compliance parameters, including a per-item maximum dwell-time specifying a maximum time interval between removal of a perishable item from a temperature-controlled display area and receipt of the perishable item at an intake area. A dwell-time is calculated for an item received at an intake area. The item is accepted if the per-item maximum dwell-time exceeds the calculated dwell-time and the item is rejected if the calculated dwell-time exceeds the per-item maximum dwell-time. An incentive is provided to the identified user based on a cold-chain compliance score for the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
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Patent number: 11232398Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine readable media are provided for image-based replenishment. In exemplary embodiments, a system periodically obtains an image from one or more imaging devices in a facility of a selected rack of items among a group of racks. The system determines, based on the image, a first volume indicative of a volume of items on the rack. The system retrieves a sales forecast for the items on the selected rack and determines an expected second volume of items on the rack based on the sales forecast for the item. The system then determines whether the first volume is within a predetermined threshold of the second volume, and transmits instructions based on whether or not the first volume is determined to be within the predetermined threshold of the second volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Benjamin D. Enssle, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jr., Cristy Crane Brooks, Jeffrey Kerbs, David Brightwell, Ryan Kee
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Patent number: 11157870Abstract: Examples provide a system for cold-chain compliant item selection. A set of perishable items are selected for retrieval by a user based on item data, cold-chain compliance score(s), and/or cold-chain compliance restrictions associated with each user. The selected set of items are assigned to the user for retrieval in accordance with a set of cold-chain compliance parameters, including a per-item maximum dwell-time specifying a maximum time interval between removal of a perishable item from a temperature controlled display area and receipt of the perishable item at an intake area. A dwell-time is calculated for an item received at an intake area. The item is accepted if the per-item maximum dwell-time exceeds the calculated dwell-time and the item is rejected if the calculated dwell-time exceeds the per-item maximum dwell-time. An incentive is provided to the identified user based on a cold-chain compliance score for the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
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Publication number: 20210312415Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to monitor and adjust perpetual inventory (PI). Some embodiments comprise multiple point of sale (POS) systems; an inventory system and a perpetual inventory (PI) engine control circuit that receives inventory information and is configured to identify the occurrence of a plurality of different events each associated with a different product at a shopping facility and corresponding to a potential inconsistency in a determined inventory count; and for each of the events: identify a first set of inventory evaluation rules; apply the first set of inventory evaluation rules to determine a type of inventory count error; determine an inventory adjustment action to be implemented based on the first product and the determined error type; and cause the inventory adjustment action to be implemented in substantially real-time to adjust the determined inventory count of the first product at the first shopping facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Daniel R. Shields, Greg A. Bryan, Matthew A. Jones
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Publication number: 20210295253Abstract: A perpetual inventory (PI) value associated with the selected product and a last PI adjustment time that indicates when the retail store last adjusted the PI value are received. The PI value of the selected product is compared to the back room quantity value of the selected product, and a time when the back room quantity value becomes greater than the PI value for the selected product is determined. An adjustment to the PI of the selected product is blocked when the PI adjustment time is after the time. When the back room quantity value is greater than the PI value and the adjustment to the PI value is unblocked, the PI value is adjusted to be the back room quantity value.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20210264360Abstract: Scans of a selected product on shelves of a retail store are obtained and the scans are transmitted over a network via a transceiver circuit. A perpetual inventory (PI) value is stored for a selected product in a database. A data structure includes a first category and first actions programmatically linked to the first category. When the selected product is out-of-stock and when the PI value is greater than a predetermined threshold, one or more of the first actions associated with the first category are performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones