Patents by Inventor Cristy Crane Brooks

Cristy Crane Brooks 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: 11853963
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
  • Patent number: 11443276
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Cristy Crane Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton
  • Publication number: 20220027842
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
  • Patent number: 11232398
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Benjamin D. Enssle, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jr., Cristy Crane Brooks, Jeffrey Kerbs, David Brightwell, Ryan Kee
  • Patent number: 11157870
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
  • Patent number: 10846654
    Abstract: Examples provide a perpetual inventory (PI) reconciliation system. A PI controller analyzes item data using a set of PI purge criteria and a set of weighted prioritization variables to select a highest priority seasonal inventory item having a positive PI value a per-item threshold time after an end-of-season (EOS) date for PI purge analysis. A PI controller determines if the selected item is a high confidence item or a low confidence item based on a set of confidence rules and item data. If the selected item is a high confidence item, a PI purge component sets an inventory value for the selected item to zero to eliminate the positive PI. If the selected item is a low confidence item, a verification component verifies the number of physical instances of the selected item. The inventory value is updated using the verified number of physical instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Cristy Crane Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Jesse Lee Eaton, Matthew Jones, Jeffrey Kerbs, Greg Bryan
  • Patent number: 10824834
    Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for an electronic label system. Electronic labels display on a display first sets of information associated with sets of like physical objects disposed in a facility. The first computing system can encode a hyperlink into a machine-readable element in response to determining that the quantity is below the threshold. In response to receiving the machine readable element, the electronic label can automatically change the display to render machine-readable element. A portable electronic device can initiate a first session with a second computing system in response to executing an application. The portable electronic device can scan and decode the machine-readable element. The portable electronic device can navigate to a domain hosted by the second computing system. The second computing system initiates a second session. The second computing system merges the first and second session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg A. Bryan, David Blair Brightwell
  • Patent number: 10810544
    Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for detecting absent like physical objects at a first facility and replenishing the like physical objects from the second facility to the first facility. The system includes an autonomous robot device configured to detect absent like physical objects at a first facility and transmit an identifier associated with the like physical objects to a first computing system. The first computing system determines the need for the addition of the like physical objects in the first facility and transmits the data associated with the like physical objects to the second computing system. The second computing system corrects a perpetual inventory error associated with the like physical objects based on the received data and transmits instructions to an autonomous robot picker disposed at a second facility to replenish the like physical objects at the first facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Enssle, David Blair Brightwell, Greg A. Bryan, Cristy Crane Brooks, Howard Gabbert
  • Patent number: 10782822
    Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for an augmented touch-sensitive display system. A portable electronic device can render on the touch-sensitive display a physical scene within the field of view of the image capturing device. The portable electronic device, can parse the physical scene rendered on the touch-sensitive display into discrete elements based on dimensions of items in the physical scene. The portable electronic device can superimpose a selectable link on the at least one of the discrete elements on the touch-sensitive display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Enssle, David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Greg A. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20200097896
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Benjamin D. Enssle, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jr., Cristy Crane Brooks, Jeffrey Kerbs, David Brightwell, Ryan Kee
  • Publication number: 20200035101
    Abstract: A parking space allocation system comprises a special-purpose allocation computer that communicates with at least one electronic sensor to identify a state of a plurality of parking spaces, including a determination whether the parking spaces are occupied or unoccupied and that automatically modifies an unoccupied parking space to be visually identifiable for authorized use by a vehicle or vehicle occupant; and a special-purpose authorization computer that authenticates the vehicle or vehicle occupant for the authorized use of the unoccupied parking space by the vehicle. The special-purpose allocation computer further allocates the unoccupied parking space to the authenticated vehicle or vehicle occupant according to a predetermined criterion that requires the unoccupied parking space to be in proximity to or a predetermined distance from a destination of interest by the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Cristy Crane Brooks, Greg A. Bryan, Benjamin D. Enssle, David Blair Brightwell, Jeffrey Kerbs, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeremy Tingler, Steven Lewis
  • Patent number: 10535198
    Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for an augmented display system. A computing system can determine whether a physical object is absent from a designated location in a facility in response to data retrieved from the database. The computing system can insert a virtual element in a planogram corresponding to the designated location of the facility in response to determining the physical object is absent. The computing system can augment via interaction with the application executing on the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Enssle, David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Greg A. Bryan, Sonney George, Barrett Freeman, Sachin Padwal
  • Publication number: 20200005230
    Abstract: Examples provide a fruit ripening rack having a plurality of chambers for on-site produce ripening at a retail location. A controller component generates predicted demand for ripened fruit on a selected date at a selected location based on transaction history data and/or seasonal demand. The controller component calculates the quantity of fruit based on the predicted demand. The controller component determines conditions within each chamber to accelerate ripening of the calculated quantity of one or more types of fruit to one or more selected levels of ripeness on the selected date. The conditions include amount of ethylene gas in each chamber, length of exposure to the ethylene gas, temperature inside the chamber and/or humidity level inside the chamber. The fruit ripening rack controls internal conditions within each chamber to provide variable fruit ripening in accordance with per-chamber configurations to satisfy predicted daily demand at the selected location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Cristy Crane BROOKS, David Blair BRIGHTWELL, Greg BRYAN, Jesse Lee EATON, Jeffrey KERBS
  • Publication number: 20200000113
    Abstract: Examples provide a fruit ripening drawer for ripening fruit at variable rates in multiple air-tight compartments staggering completion of fruit ripening within each compartment. A user selects a level of ripeness and a date for consumption for fruit within each compartment. A calculation component calculates customized settings for each compartment, including an amount of ethylene gas, temperature, duration of gas exposure and/or humidity within each compartment. A metering device delivers the calculated amount of ethylene gas into each compartment. A thermostat device controls the temperature and/or humidity within each compartment. The fruit ripening drawer controls conditions within each compartment and duration of ethylene gas exposure to accelerate or delay fruit ripening within each compartment based on the user-selected level of ripeness and consumption date for fruit in each compartment. The fruit ripening drawer is a stand-alone counter-top device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jesse Lee Eaton, David Blair Brightwell, Greg Bryan, Jeffrey Kerbs, Cristy Crane Brooks
  • Publication number: 20190241298
    Abstract: A bagging station, comprises a base; a carousel that rotates relative to the base, the carousel including a plurality of bag holding elements; an indicator at each bag holding element that provides a status regarding a bag hanging from the bag holding element; and a bag selection system that controls the indicators to identify bags for allocating items according to a predetermined criteria about at least one of the bag or the items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David Blair Brightwell, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey A. Kerbs, Greg A. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20190236528
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Cristy Crane Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton
  • Publication number: 20190213661
    Abstract: Examples provide a system for crowdsourced item selection. A request fulfillment component selects a set of one or more items from a plurality of requested items for retrieval by an identified user. A set of items are selected based on an analysis of item data, per-user retrieval score(s), user-provided data, and/or per-user restriction(s). The request fulfillment component analyzes sensor data associated with a set of retrieved items received at an intake area to identify the items retrieved by the identified user and/or a level of compliance with retrieval criteria for the set of items. The request fulfillment component assigns a reward to the identified user, one or more retrieval scores ranking quality of items retrieved by the user, and/or one or more retrieval restrictions are assigned to the user based on the number of retrieved items and the level of compliance with the retrieval criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
  • Publication number: 20190213532
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Greg Bryan, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
  • Publication number: 20190139066
    Abstract: Examples provide a customized cart management system. A cart monitoring component monitors a location of one or more unattended carts outside a cart intake area. A cart intake component generates cart intake data for each cart returned to the cart intake area, including a cart identifier and a cart return time. A verification component analyzes the cart intake data using a set of reward criteria, including a minimum cart return time threshold, to determine if the user is eligible to receive a cart reward. If the user is eligible, an incentives generation component assigns a first reward to the identified user. A feedback query component outputs a feedback query associated with the one or more returned carts to a user device. If the user provides feedback in response to the feedback query, the incentives generation component assigns a second reward to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Greg Bryan, David Blair Brightwell, Cristy Crane Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, Jesse Lee Eaton, Jeffrey Kerbs
  • Publication number: 20190130346
    Abstract: Examples provide a perpetual inventory (PI) reconciliation system. A PI controller analyzes item data using a set of PI purge criteria and a set of weighted prioritization variables to select a highest priority seasonal inventory item having a positive PI value a per-item threshold time after an end-of-season (EOS) date for PI purge analysis. A PI controller determines if the selected item is a high confidence item or a low confidence item based on a set of confidence rules and item data. If the selected item is a high confidence item, a PI purge component sets an inventory value for the selected item to zero to eliminate the positive PI. If the selected item is a low confidence item, a verification component verifies the number of physical instances of the selected item. The inventory value is updated using the verified number of physical instances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Cristy Crane Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Jesse Lee Eaton, Matthew Jones, Jeffrey Kerbs, Greg Bryan