Patents by Inventor Chi Lau
Chi Lau 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: 20240085087Abstract: Embodiments described herein can include one or more modular storage units for use with a refrigerator system. The modular storage units can include a door that is movable from a closed position to an open position; a back wall; side walls; and a base. The modular storage unit can have an air inlet disposed in the back wall for receiving chilled air from the refrigeration system. The modular storage unit can include a temperature sensor that detects the temperature within the interior volume and an insulating wall comprising a phase change material disposed within the insulating wall. The modular storage unit can include a locking system configured to lock the door. Multiple modular storage units can be used in one refrigerator system, and each can be removably coupled to an interior storage compartment of the refrigerator system. Embodiments described herein can be integrated into existing refrigeration systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Minjun HUANG, Cheuk Chi LAU, Xuejun LI, Naga Srinivas VANKADARI
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Patent number: 11804095Abstract: A vending machine has an interactive customer experience. Some embodiments of the vending machine include a transparent front wall with a plurality of display units located behind the front wall. Each of the display units may contain an example of a product available for vending. Based on input received from a customer and other information, the vending machine may provide a recommendation for a product or products to select for purchase. The vending machine may highlight the recommendation by selectively illuminating the product display units that contain the recommended products.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Xuejun Li, Yong Serock, Cheuk Chi Lau, Martyn Thomas Mitchell, Euan Morrison, Wai Ting Chan, Samuel Luke Johnstone, Erik David Williams
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Patent number: 11756366Abstract: Modular vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers. A modular vending machine may include a product storage system, a user interface, and a control unit. Several modular vending machines may be stacked and/or arranged together in various configurations. Several modular vending machines may be linked electronically and may communicate with each other and/or with a user mobile device over a network. A modular vending machine may automatically complete a transaction with the consumer, where the consumer removes a product from the modular vending machine. A consumer may access and purchase products from several modular vending machines in one transaction.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Robert Crawford, Emad Jafa, Cheuk Chi Lau, Xuejun Li, Yong Serock, Wai Ting Chan, Samuel Luke Johnstone, Martyn Thomas Mitchell, Euan Morrison, Erik David Williams
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Publication number: 20230154270Abstract: Vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers in a space-efficient manner. A vending machine may include a product compartment, a product storage system, a support structure, a dispensing port, and a product delivery system. The support structure may elevate the product compartment and form a void beneath the product compartment. Other structures may occupy the void beneath the product compartment, or humans may walk through the void beneath the product compartment. A product may be automatically moved from the product compartment to the dispensing port using the product delivery system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Emad JAFA, Cheuk Chi LAU, Xuejun LI, Yong SEROCK, Wai Ting CHAN, Samuel Luke JOHNSTONE, Martyn Thomas MITCHELL, Euan MORRISON, Erik David WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20230145879Abstract: A method of presenting product information in a vending machine may include detecting audio information from a consumer and converting the audio information to a text string. The method may include identifying a keyword in the text string, and determining products from a product database associated with the keyword. The method may include returning a list of the products that correspond to the keyword.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2023Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Emad JAFA, Cheuk Chi LAU, Xuejun LI, Darren LING, Bernard YANG
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Patent number: 11640742Abstract: A vending machine includes a product storage cabinet having a housing defining a storage compartment for storing a product and a door movably connected to the housing. A product sensor is configured to detect removal of the product from the storage compartment. The vending machine further includes a control assembly configured to control operation of the vending machine. The control assembly includes a support structure, a control unit mounted on the support structure, a transceiver mounted on the support structure, and a power supply mounted on the support structure. The control assembly is configured to receive information from collected by the product sensor to determine an identity of the product removed from the storage compartment.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Cheuk Chi Lau, Xuejun Li, Yong Jin Serock, Bilal Bajwa, Naga Vankadari
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Publication number: 20230075158Abstract: A system for identifying a product removed from a cabinet includes detecting visual characteristics of the product removed from the cabinet by a camera within the cabinet. The system may include detecting an identifier on the product removed from the cabinet by an identifier sensor, and comparing the visual characteristics and the identifier to a database of product information. The product removed from the cabinet may be identified based on the comparison of the visual characteristics and the identifier to the database of product information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Xuejun LI, Yong Jin SEROCK, Cheuk Chi LAU
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Patent number: 11587141Abstract: A method of presenting product information in a vending machine may include detecting audio information from a consumer and converting the audio information to a text string. The method may include identifying a keyword in the text string, and determining products from a product database associated with the keyword. The method may include returning a list of the products that correspond to the keyword.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Cheuk Chi Lau, Xuejun Li, Darren Ling, Bernard Yang
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Patent number: 11568702Abstract: Vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers in a space-efficient manner. A vending machine may include a product compartment, a product storage system, a support structure, a dispensing port, and a product delivery system. The support structure may elevate the product compartment and form a void beneath the product compartment. Other structures may occupy the void beneath the product compartment, or humans may walk through the void beneath the product compartment. A product may be automatically moved from the product compartment to the dispensing port using the product delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Cheuk Chi Lau, Xuejun Li, Yong Serock, Wai Ting Chan, Samuel Luke Johnstone, Martyn Thomas Mitchell, Euan Morrison, Erik David Williams
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Publication number: 20220415113Abstract: A vending machine includes a product storage cabinet having a housing defining a storage compartment for storing a product and a door movably connected to the housing. A product sensor is configured to detect removal of the product from the storage compartment. The vending machine further includes a control assembly configured to control operation of the vending machine. The control assembly includes a support structure, a control unit mounted on the support structure, a transceiver mounted on the support structure, and a power supply mounted on the support structure. The control assembly is configured to receive information from collected by the product sensor to determine an identity of the product removed from the storage compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Cheuk Chi LAU, Xuejun LI, Yong Jin SEROCK, Bilal BAJWA, Naga VANKADARI
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Patent number: 11526843Abstract: A method for identifying a product removed from a cabinet includes detecting visual characteristics of the product removed from the cabinet by a camera within the cabinet. The method may include detecting an identifier on the product removed from the cabinet by an identifier sensor, and comparing the visual characteristics and the identifier to a database of product information. The product removed from the cabinet may be identified based on the comparison of the visual characteristics and the identifier to the database of product information.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Xuejun Li, Yong Jin Serock, Cheuk Chi Lau
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Patent number: 11501596Abstract: Mobile vending machines for storing and dispensing products to consumers at various locations. A mobile vending machine may include a product storage system, a user interface, a powertrain system, and a control unit. A consumer may view a list of products in the mobile vending machine using a mobile device, such as a smart phone. The consumer may summon the mobile vending machine to a location using the mobile device, and the mobile vending machine may automatically complete a transaction with the consumer, where the consumer receives a product from the mobile vending machine. The control unit may enable the mobile vending machine to autonomously travel to the location of the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Cheuk Chi Lau, Xuejun Li, Yong Serock, Wai Ting Chan, Samuel Luke Johnstone, Martyn Thomas Mitchell, Euan Morrison, Erik David Williams
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Patent number: 11450169Abstract: A vending machine with a curved exterior shape is disclosed. Some embodiments of the vending machine are circular in design, and include a transparent upper housing that allows customers to see into the interior of the vending machine. Products for vending may be stored in a non-transparent lower housing. A centrally-located product delivery system transports products for vending from the lower housing to delivery portals located on the upper housing. The product delivery system is able to move along a vertical line and rotate through the horizontal plane and can deliver products from any portion of the lower housing to any delivery portals located on the upper housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Xuejun Li, Yong Serock, Cheuk Chi Lau, Martyn Mitchell, Euan Morrison, Wai Chan, Sam Johnstone, Erik Williams
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Publication number: 20220270430Abstract: A vending machine has an interactive customer experience. Some embodiments of the vending machine include a transparent front wall with a plurality of display units located behind the front wall. Each of the display units may contain an example of a product available for vending. Based on input received from a customer and other information, the vending machine may provide a recommendation for a product or products to select for purchase. The vending machine may highlight the recommendation by selectively illuminating the product display units that contain the recommended products.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Emad JAFA, Xuejun LI, Yong SEROCK, Cheuk Chi LAU, Martyn Thomas MITCHELL, Euan MORRISON, Wai Ting CHAN, Samuel Luke JOHNSTONE, Erik David WILLIAMS
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Patent number: 11354965Abstract: A vending machine has an interactive customer experience. Some embodiments of the vending machine include a transparent front wall with a plurality of display units located behind the front wall. Each of the display units may contain an example of a product available for vending. Based on input received from a customer and other information, the vending machine may provide a recommendation for a product or products to select for purchase. The vending machine may highlight the recommendation by selectively illuminating the product display units that contain the recommended products.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Xuejun Li, Yong Serock, Cheuk Chi Lau, Martyn Thomas Mitchell, Euan Morrison, Wai Ting Chan, Samuel Luke Johnstone, Erik David Williams
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Patent number: 11282326Abstract: A vending machine with a reduced vertical height and footprint has a horizontal roller surface system for delivering vending products. The horizontal roller system includes actuated rollers and trays that move on top of the rollers. The products are present on top of the trays; the rollers actuate to deliver the trays, and the products, to a delivery portal. Some embodiments of the vending machine have a transparent top to allow the interior of the vending machine, and particularly the roller surface, to be visible from the exterior of the vending machine. The reduced height and size of the vending machine enables it to be placed in locations that are unavailable to conventional vending machines.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Xuejun Li, Yong Serock, Cheuk Chi Lau, Martyn Thomas Mitchell, Euan Morrison, Wai Ting Chan, Samuel Luke Johnstone, Erik David Williams
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Publication number: 20210398188Abstract: A method of presenting product information in a vending machine may include detecting audio information from a consumer and converting the audio information to a text string. The method may include identifying a keyword in the text string, and determining products from a product database associated with the keyword. The method may include returning a list of the products that correspond to the keyword.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Emad JAFA, Cheuk Chi LAU, Xuejun LI, Darren LING, Bernard YANG
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Publication number: 20210342770Abstract: A method for identifying a product removed from a cabinet includes detecting visual characteristics of the product removed from the cabinet by a camera within the cabinet. The method may include detecting an identifier on the product removed from the cabinet by an identifier sensor, and comparing the visual characteristics and the identifier to a database of product information. The product removed from the cabinet may be identified based on the comparison of the visual characteristics and the identifier to the database of product information.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Xuejun LI, Yong Jin SEROCK, Cheuk Chi LAU
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Publication number: 20210174629Abstract: A vending machine with a curved exterior shape is disclosed. Some embodiments of the vending machine are circular in design, and include a transparent upper housing that allows customers to see into the interior of the vending machine. Products for vending may be stored in a non-transparent lower housing. A centrally-located product delivery system transports products for vending from the lower housing to delivery portals located on the upper housing. The product delivery system is able to move along a vertical line and rotate through the horizontal plane and can deliver products from any portion of the lower housing to any delivery portals located on the upper housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Emad JAFA, Xuejun LI, Yong SEROCK, Cheuk Chi LAU, Martyn MITCHELL, Euan MORRISON, Wai CHAN, Sam JOHNSTONE, Erik WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20210155465Abstract: Mobile product dispensers for storing and dispensing products to consumers at various locations. A mobile product dispensers may include a product dispensing system, a user interface, a powertrain system, and a control unit. The mobile product dispenser may freely roam or follow a predetermined path within its environment of operation, and may engage with and service consumers along its route. A consumer may also summon the mobile product dispenser to a location using a user device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or the like. The control unit may enable the mobile product dispenser to autonomously travel within its environment of operation and/or to navigate to the location of a consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Robert CRAWFORD, Cheuk Chi LAU