Patents by Inventor David A. Blair

David A. Blair 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: 20240095672
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
  • Patent number: 11920299
    Abstract: A formation detection system comprising: (a) one or more sensors and (b) one or more lights that illuminate a location of interest so that the one or more sensors can monitor the location of interest; wherein one of the one or more sensors are located substantially planar with a wire of a paper machine and proximate to a slice opening so that the one of the one or more sensors is adjacent to a cut through so that the one of the one or more sensors is capable of measuring stock above the wire and removed water below the wire, and wherein the one of the one or more sensors is capable of measuring a distance between an impingement location of a stock jet and the wire from a forming board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: IBS of America
    Inventors: Andrew Forester, Paul Wratschko, Jake Neal, David Jackson, Chris Blair, James Faufau
  • Publication number: 20240046205
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
  • Publication number: 20240013148
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
  • Patent number: 11868960
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
  • 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: 11816628
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
  • Patent number: 11797929
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
  • Publication number: 20230334422
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11715066
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones
  • Publication number: 20230040427
    Abstract: An interactive treatment mapping and planning system enables a user to more quickly, thoroughly, and efficiently aggregate fibroid and/or treatment information from a user and/or one or more sets of databases, construct a fibroid map providing a visual representation of the aggregated fibroid information, generate information from the aggregated information about the fibroid to be treated and/or treatment procedure, develop a treatment plan based on the fibroid and/or treatment procedure information, provide real-time information gathered from treatment devices during the treatment procedure, and allow the user to interact with the treatment data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Amer Hammudi, Jiayu Chen, Harry Kwan, David Blair Toub
  • Publication number: 20230034903
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a cavity defined by a vehicle door, with the cavity being configured to stow and charge an accessory device. The apparatus may also include an accessory cradle movable within the cavity and configured to retain the vehicle accessory. Examples of a method may include providing a cavity in an end portion of a vehicle door, with the cavity being configured to stow and charge an accessory device. The method may further include installing an accessory cradle within the cavity, with the accessory cradle being movable within the cavity and configured to retain the vehicle accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Austin Frederickson, Ivan Sanchez, Mike Selle, William David Blair, Garrett Lewis, Rick Alan Anderson, Alexander Ursin, Scott Pontoni, Jason Hilbourne
  • Patent number: 11501251
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11449828
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11419682
    Abstract: An interactive treatment mapping and planning system enables a user to more quickly, thoroughly, and efficiently aggregate fibroid and/or treatment information from a user and/or one or more sets of databases, construct a fibroid map providing a visual representation of the aggregated fibroid information, generate information from the aggregated information about the fibroid to be treated and/or treatment procedure, develop a treatment plan based on the fibroid and/or treatment procedure information, provide real-time information gathered from treatment devices during the treatment procedure, and allow the user to interact with the treatment data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Gynesonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Amer Hammudi, Jiayu Chen, Harry Kwan, David Blair Toub
  • Patent number: 11403263
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a method for maintaining file versions in volatile memory. The method includes storing, in volatile memory for at least a first portion of a first sync interval, a first version of a file that is not modifiable during the at least the first portion of the first sync interval. The method also includes storing, in volatile memory for at least a second portion of the first sync interval, a second version of the file that is modifiable during the at least the second portion of the first sync interval. The method also includes subsequent to the first sync interval, replacing in nonvolatile memory, a third version of the file with the first version of the file stored in volatile memory. Further, the method includes marking the second version of the file as not modifiable during at least a first portion of a second sync interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NETFLIX, INC.
    Inventors: John David Blair, Anders Grindal Bakken
  • Publication number: 20220128292
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes: a drawer or door defining a freezer compartment with a front exterior face and interior face and the drawer or door having a panel cavity between the front exterior face and interior face; a pizza pocket pivotally attached to the interior face and extending into the panel cavity, the pizza pocket is movable between a locked position where access into an interior space of the pizza pocket is denied and an open position where access to the interior space of the pizza pocket is allowed. Alternatively, the pizza pocket may be located within the panel cavity and accessed via a slot located in the upper surface of the drawer/door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin Caruso, David Blair Favrot, III, Christopher Kemper, John Cooper Smith
  • Publication number: 20220122171
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method includes receiving a loan application from a debtor with unsecured debt; receiving financial transactions data associated with the debtor; parsing the financial transactions data into predetermined data features; verifying the income of the debtor on the loan application with the parsed financial transactions data; ranking the parsed financial transactions data based on the predetermined data features; and analyzing the parsed financial transactions data to determine a first probability of default by the debtor with a loan having a lower interest rate than an interest rate of the unsecured debt. The loan application includes income, payments/expenses, assets, and liabilities/debt to determine a stated net income for verification with a calculated net income. The income verification provides the calculated net income for comparison with the stated net income and a measure of reliability of the input data in the loan application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Happy Money, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Hubard, Chris Courtney, Michael Tepper, Andrea Trivella, Alison Tan, Meng Zhao, Chong Geng, Turgut Ozkan, Tara Bleakley, Rita Stanger, David Blair, R Scott Saunders, III, Dan Sinner, Adam Zarlengo, Ibrahim Dusi
  • Patent number: 11282157
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David Blair Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle