Patents by Inventor Brian Richardson

Brian Richardson 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).

  • Publication number: 20260090679
    Abstract: An automated food making apparatus is described. An automated food making apparatus can include: a carousel; a dispensing apparatus shared among a plurality of canisters on the carousel, wherein at least one canister includes a paddle; and wherein the dispensing apparatus is configured to rotate the canister's paddle to dispense ingredients stored in the canister. A dispensing mechanism for an automated food making apparatus can include: an actuator arm; a motor that is adapted to rotate the actuator arm; one or more magnets embedded in the actuator arm; and one or more sensors configured to detect position of the actuator arm; wherein the actuator arm dispenses ingredients by rotating a pin located on a canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2025
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Deepak C. Sekar, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Victoria Reidling
  • Publication number: 20250359707
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Patent number: 12408799
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: DoorDash, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Patent number: 12318044
    Abstract: An automated food making apparatus is described. An automated food making apparatus can include: a carousel; a dispensing apparatus shared among a plurality of canisters on the carousel, wherein at least one canister includes a paddle; and wherein the dispensing apparatus is configured to rotate the canister's paddle to dispense ingredients stored in the canister. A dispensing mechanism for an automated food making apparatus can include: an actuator arm; a motor that is adapted to rotate the actuator arm; one or more magnets embedded in the actuator arm; and one or more sensors configured to detect position of the actuator arm; wherein the actuator arm dispenses ingredients by rotating a pin located on a canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: DoorDash, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Deepak C. Sekar, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Victoria Reidling
  • Patent number: 12082749
    Abstract: An automated food making apparatus is described. An automated food making apparatus can include: a carousel; a dispensing apparatus shared among a plurality of canisters on the carousel, wherein at least one canister includes a paddle; and wherein the dispensing apparatus is configured to rotate the canister's paddle to dispense ingredients stored in the canister. A dispensing mechanism for an automated food making apparatus can include: an actuator arm; a motor that is adapted to rotate the actuator arm; one or more magnets embedded in the actuator arm; and one or more sensors configured to detect position of the actuator arm; wherein the actuator arm dispenses ingredients by rotating a pin located on a canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventors: Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Deepak C. Sekar, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Victoria Reidling
  • Publication number: 20240285130
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Patent number: 12022982
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Patent number: 11980323
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Publication number: 20240138629
    Abstract: An automated food making apparatus is described. An automated food making apparatus can include: a carousel; a dispensing apparatus shared among a plurality of canisters on the carousel, wherein at least one canister includes a paddle; and wherein the dispensing apparatus is configured to rotate the canister's paddle to dispense ingredients stored in the canister. A dispensing mechanism for an automated food making apparatus can include: an actuator arm; a motor that is adapted to rotate the actuator arm; one or more magnets embedded in the actuator arm; and one or more sensors configured to detect position of the actuator arm; wherein the actuator arm dispenses ingredients by rotating a pin located on a canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Deepak C. Sekar, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Victoria Reidling
  • Patent number: 11918150
    Abstract: An automated food making apparatus having a carousel and at least one canister. The at least one canister may include a disposable bag having ingredients therein, with the disposable bag being disposed at an upper portion of the canister. The at least one canister may further include a reusable lower portion configured to be removably attached to the disposable bag. The reusable lower portion may further include a paddle to aid in dispensing ingredients from the disposable bag. The automated food making apparatus may further include a dispensing apparatus that is configured to dispense ingredients from the disposable bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventors: Sanath Bhat, Tai Yen Chung, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Deepak Chandra Sekar, Brian Richardson
  • Patent number: 11918149
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DoorDash, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Patent number: 11284748
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: CHOWBOTICS
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Levi Lalla
  • Publication number: 20210345833
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat
  • Patent number: 11150126
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting a user in assembling a culinary combination according to a recipe. The system comprises a scale and a computing device configured to communicate with the scale. The system displays information regarding ingredients of the recipe and displays a progress of assembling the culinary combination based on the information from the scale. In some embodiments, a bar graph is displayed with a bar proportional to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient. In some embodiments, the system displays a build column of one or more recipe blocks, representing actions or ingredients of the recipe. An active recipe block is displayed with a portion of the recipe block displayed in a different manner in proportion to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: PERFECT COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip T. Odom, Brian Richardson, Darin Barri
  • Patent number: 11109716
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CHOWBOTICS
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat
  • Publication number: 20210000300
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated food making apparatus having a motor, actuator arm, and an apparatus. The apparatus may be a paddle with flexible fins. The method rotates the paddle with a pin-shaft mechanism to dispense an ingredient placed in a canister, controls the motor automatically based on weight sensor readings, and locates a position of the actuator arm with position sensors. The same motor dispenses ingredients from a plurality of canisters. The method may have a plurality of paddle rotation and weight measurement steps until a target weight is reached. The plurality of paddle rotation steps may be unidirectional or bidirectional paddle rotation. The paddle may be rotated according to one or more paddle rotation algorithms, an error recovery algorithm, or different algorithms based on the amounts of ingredients remaining in the canister. The paddle may be rocked until the target weight is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat
  • Publication number: 20210000301
    Abstract: An automated food making apparatus is described. An automated food making apparatus can include: a carousel; a dispensing apparatus shared among a plurality of canisters on the carousel, wherein at least one canister includes a paddle; and wherein the dispensing apparatus is configured to rotate the canister's paddle to dispense ingredients stored in the canister. A dispensing mechanism for an automated food making apparatus can include: an actuator arm; a motor that is adapted to rotate the actuator arm; one or more magnets embedded in the actuator arm; and one or more sensors configured to detect position of the actuator arm; wherein the actuator arm dispenses ingredients by rotating a pin located on a canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Deepak C. Sekar, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Victoria Reidling
  • Patent number: 10813503
    Abstract: An automated food making apparatus is described. An automated food making apparatus can include: a carousel; a dispensing apparatus shared among a plurality of canisters on the carousel, wherein at least one canister includes a paddle; and wherein the dispensing apparatus is configured to rotate the canister's paddle to dispense ingredients stored in the canister. A dispensing mechanism for an automated food making apparatus can include: an actuator arm; a motor that is adapted to rotate the actuator arm; one or more magnets embedded in the actuator arm; and one or more sensors configured to detect position of the actuator arm; wherein the actuator arm dispenses ingredients by rotating a pin located on a canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Casabots Inc.
    Inventors: Kathirgugan Kathirasen, Deepak C. Sekar, Brian Richardson, Sanath Bhat, Victoria Reidling
  • Publication number: 20200072658
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting a user in assembling a culinary combination according to a recipe. The system comprises a scale and a computing device configured to communicate with the scale. The system displays information regarding ingredients of the recipe and displays a progress of assembling the culinary combination based on the information from the scale. In some embodiments, a bar graph is displayed with a bar proportional to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient. In some embodiments, the system displays a build column of one or more recipe blocks, representing actions or ingredients of the recipe. An active recipe block is displayed with a portion of the recipe block displayed in a different manner in proportion to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip T. Odom, Brian Richardson, Darin Barri
  • Patent number: 10473516
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting a user in assembling a culinary combination according to a recipe. The system comprises a scale and a computing device configured to communicate with the scale. The system displays information regarding ingredients of the recipe and displays a progress of assembling the culinary combination based on the information from the scale. In some embodiments, a bar graph is displayed with a bar proportional to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient. In some embodiments, the system displays a build column of one or more recipe blocks, representing actions or ingredients of the recipe. An active recipe block is displayed with a portion of the recipe block displayed in a different manner in proportion to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: PERFECT COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip T. Odom, Brian Richardson, Darin Barri