Patents by Inventor Chad Stiernagle
Chad Stiernagle 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: 10414049Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). Upon a request from an operator in a purge operation, the robot transfers bins containing the affected items to the operator station. The controller logic further allows certain operations to be prioritized and performed for the replenishment and purge operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Patent number: 10049351Abstract: A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventor: Chad Stiernagle
-
Patent number: 9990658Abstract: A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventor: Chad Stiernagle
-
Publication number: 20180043535Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). Upon a request from an operator in a purge operation, the robot transfers bins containing the affected items to the operator station. The controller logic further allows certain operations to be prioritized and performed for the replenishment and purge operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Patent number: 9821464Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator (or other user) in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). The controller logic allows the fulfillment operations to be prioritized over the replenishment operations, in addition to the implementation of other prioritizations.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Publication number: 20170322561Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored within bins in an inventory storage unit, with respective sets of bins being hosted in respective storage cells of the inventory storage unit. As discussed herein, variety of sensors are designed to interface with robot operations of the inventory storage unit, to detect abnormal and error conditions, and to allow adaptation where possible to continue retrieval, access, and storage operations. As also discussed herein, operation of the robot may be controlled as a result of various user interface interactions, including interactions from remote computing devices such as smartphones and remote systems such as websites and inventory or retail management systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventor: Chad Stiernagle
-
Patent number: 9790028Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Configuration of the rails facilitates bins of variable height.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Publication number: 20170076267Abstract: A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventor: Chad Stiernagle
-
Publication number: 20170039607Abstract: A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventor: Chad Stiernagle
-
Patent number: 9563194Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. In a replenishment operation, the system transfers empty bins to an operator station for replenishment. An operator fills the empty bins with product items. The system inserts these bins into drawers in the ISU. In a purge operation, the operator enters an identifier of a class of product to be removed. The system moves the bins containing the affected items to the operator station. After the product items are removed, the empty bins are moved to the ISU.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Patent number: 9563197Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) for a plurality of product items, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU, and places the bin onto a shelf that moves with the robot. The additional items are handled similarly. Once all the items are on the shelf, the robot transfers them to a dispensing chute to the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Patent number: 9520012Abstract: A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: BBY Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Chad Stiernagle
-
Publication number: 20160327941Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) for a plurality of product items, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU, and places the bin onto a shelf that moves with the robot. The additional items are handled similarly. Once all the items are on the shelf, the robot transfers them to a dispensing chute to the consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Publication number: 20160325934Abstract: The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator (or other user) in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). The controller logic allows the fulfillment operations to be prioritized over the replenishment operations, in addition to the implementation of other prioritizations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Publication number: 20160325933Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Configuration of the rails facilitates bins of variable height.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Publication number: 20160327927Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. In a replenishment operation, the system transfers empty bins to an operator station for replenishment. An operator fills the empty bins with product items. The system inserts these bins into drawers in the ISU. In a purge operation, the operator enters an identifier of a class of product to be removed. The system moves the bins containing the affected items to the operator station. After the product items are removed, the empty bins are moved to the ISU.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chad Stiernagle, Glendon T. Kraetsch, Dean R. LaValle, Cameron P. Sheikholeslami
-
Patent number: 9428336Abstract: A robotic storage and retrieval system is provided. The robotic storage and retrieval system may include a three-dimensional storage rack, a set of article holders, and a robot. In one embodiment, the storage rack has a plurality of rows, a plurality of columns, and one or more support members at each unique row and column position. Each set of article holders is located at one of the unique row and column positions, and each article holder within a set is vertically supported by the one or more support members. The robot is configured to store the article holders to the storage rack and to retrieve the article holders from the storage rack.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: PaR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Hagen, Charles E. Ridley, Steven J. Austin, Thomas E. Jung, Chad Stiernagle
-
Patent number: 9430788Abstract: A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: BBY Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Chad Stiernagle
-
Publication number: 20160104220Abstract: A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventor: Chad Stiernagle
-
Patent number: 9230387Abstract: A robotic retail wall is presented allowing for the dispensing of merchandise within a retail location. The robotic wall includes commodity products and robotics that pick and deliver products to consumers in response to input at a kiosk. The robotics and products are separated from a retail space by a transparent barrier, allowing consumers in the retail space to view the actions of the robotics in retrieving a product. Behind the robotic wall is a product stocking area, where commodity products can be added to the robotic wall with assistance from the robotics.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventor: Chad Stiernagle