Patents by Inventor David B. Brightwell
David B. Brightwell 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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Patent number: 11645639Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to monitor and adjust perpetual inventory (PI). Some embodiments comprise multiple point of sale (POS) systems; an inventory system and a perpetual inventory (PI) engine control circuit that receives inventory information and is configured to identify the occurrence of a plurality of different events each associated with a different product at a shopping facility and corresponding to a potential inconsistency in a determined inventory count; and for each of the events: identify a first set of inventory evaluation rules; apply the first set of inventory evaluation rules to determine a type of inventory count error; determine an inventory adjustment action to be implemented based on the first product and the determined error type; and cause the inventory adjustment action to be implemented in substantially real-time to adjust the determined inventory count of the first product at the first shopping facility.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Daniel R. Shields, Greg A. Bryan, Matthew A. Jones
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Publication number: 20210312415Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to monitor and adjust perpetual inventory (PI). Some embodiments comprise multiple point of sale (POS) systems; an inventory system and a perpetual inventory (PI) engine control circuit that receives inventory information and is configured to identify the occurrence of a plurality of different events each associated with a different product at a shopping facility and corresponding to a potential inconsistency in a determined inventory count; and for each of the events: identify a first set of inventory evaluation rules; apply the first set of inventory evaluation rules to determine a type of inventory count error; determine an inventory adjustment action to be implemented based on the first product and the determined error type; and cause the inventory adjustment action to be implemented in substantially real-time to adjust the determined inventory count of the first product at the first shopping facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Daniel R. Shields, Greg A. Bryan, Matthew A. Jones
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Patent number: 11062262Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include an electronic scanning device, an electronic database, and an electronic inventory management device for analyzing products at a retail store in order to detect products at the retail store that are associated with mis-shipments and to adjust perpetual inventory at the retail store in view of a detected mis-shipment.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Jeffrey Kerbs, Jesse L. Eaton
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Patent number: 11055662Abstract: 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 second 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 an indication of upcoming inventory adjustment for the selected product is received. An adjustment to the PI value of the selected product is also blocked when the PI adjustment time is after the second 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David B. Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones, Jesse L. Eaton
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Patent number: 11049086Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to monitor and adjust perpetual inventory (PI). Some embodiments comprise multiple point of sale (POS) systems; an inventory system and a perpetual inventory (PI) engine control circuit that receives inventory information and is configured to identify the occurrence of a plurality of different events each associated with a different product at a shopping facility and corresponding to a potential inconsistency in a determined inventory count; and for each of the events: identify a first set of inventory evaluation rules; apply the first set of inventory evaluation rules to determine a type of inventory count error; determine an inventory adjustment action to be implemented based on the first product and the determined error type; and cause the inventory adjustment action to be implemented in substantially real-time to adjust the determined inventory count of the first product at the first shopping facility.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Daniel R. Shields, Greg A. Bryan, Matthew A. Jones
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Patent number: 10997552Abstract: 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. The first actions include instructing an autonomous vehicle to find the selected product, instructing an employee to find the selected product, and adjusting the PI value of the selected product. 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David B. Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle, Matthew A. Jones
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Patent number: 10936995Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems for analyzing an inventory database and an accounting database of a retail store in order to detect products that were mis-shipped to the retail store, improperly invoiced to the retail store, and/or erroneously not invoiced to the retail store.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell
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Publication number: 20200057985Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include an electronic scanning device, an electronic database, and an electronic inventory management device for analyzing products at a retail store in order to detect products at the retail store that are associated with mis-shipments and to adjust perpetual inventory at the retail store in view of a detected mis-shipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Jeffrey Kerbs, Jesse L. Eaton
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Patent number: 10558947Abstract: A book inventory monetary value of a selected product in the retail store is received. The book inventory monetary value is the monetary value of the selected product according to the accounting records of a retail store. A perpetual inventory (PI) monetary value is also received from the retail store. The PI monetary value is a product of multiplying a PI value for the selected product with the cost of the selected product. The book inventory monetary value and the PI monetary value are stored in a database. Subsequently, the book inventory monetary value and the PI monetary value are retrieved from the database. A difference between the book inventory monetary value and the PI monetary values is determined. An adjustment of the PI value is determined based upon the difference.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David B. Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle
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Patent number: 10496955Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include an electronic scanning device, an electronic database, and an electronic inventory management device for analyzing products at a retail store in order to detect products at the retail store that are associated with mis-shipments and to adjust perpetual inventory at the retail store in view of a detected mis-shipment.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Jeffrey Kerbs, Jesse L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20190330042Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing a product from a dispensing kiosk are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Benjamin D. ENSSLE, Shaun R. RORRISON, Ross A. MCKINNON, David B. BRIGHTWELL
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Publication number: 20190331653Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling egg quality are provided. An example method can include: moving a plurality of cartons packed with eggs by a conveyor belt; measuring a weight of each carton to decide whether the weight of each carton is within a carton weight tolerance; detecting a moisture level inside the carton to decide whether the moisture level of the carton is within a moisture level tolerance; determining whether a shell of the egg is intact and a volume of egg yolk and white is within a volume tolerance; detecting a color of each egg in the carton to decide whether the colors of the eggs are consistent; measuring a weight of the egg in the carton to determine whether the weight of the egg is within an egg weight tolerance; and measuring a density of the egg to determine whether the egg is within a density tolerance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Benjamin D. ENSSLE, Shaun R. RORRISON, Ross A. MCKINNON, David B. BRIGHTWELL
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Publication number: 20190295061Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to monitor and adjust perpetual inventory (PI). Some embodiments comprise multiple point of sale (POS) systems; an inventory system and a perpetual inventory (PI) engine control circuit that receives inventory information and is configured identify the occurrence of a plurality of different events each associated with a different product at a shopping facility and corresponding to a potential inconsistency in a determined inventory count; and for each of the events: identify a first set of inventory evaluation rules; apply the first set of inventory evaluation rules to determine a type of inventory count error; determine an inventory adjustment action to be implemented based on the first product and the determined error type; and cause the inventory adjustment action to be implemented in substantially real-time to adjust the determined inventory count of the first product at the first shopping facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Daniel R. Shields, Greg A. Bryan, Matthew A. Jones
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Patent number: 10360548Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided to monitor and adjust perpetual inventory (PI). Some embodiments comprise multiple point of sale (POS) systems; an inventory system and a perpetual inventory (PI) engine control circuit that receives inventory information and is configured identify the occurrence of a plurality of different events each associated with a different product at a shopping facility and corresponding to a potential inconsistency in a determined inventory count; and for each of the events: identify a first set of inventory evaluation rules; apply the first set of inventory evaluation rules to determine a type of inventory count error; determine an inventory adjustment action to be implemented based on the first product and the determined error type; and cause the inventory adjustment action to be implemented in substantially real-time to adjust the determined inventory count of the first product at the first shopping facility.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Daniel R. Shields, Greg A. Bryan, Matthew A. Jones
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Patent number: 10359282Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to quickly and accurately determine shelf notch height for a shelving unit. This is particularly advantageous to determine whether shelves in the shelving unit were installed at the correct height and/or for installing shelves at desired heights. In some embodiments, a measurement member is provided with a bottom offset and shelf notch indicator portions. A horizontal position indicator can then be aligned with a desired shelf notch indicator portion and project outwardly therefrom towards a shelving unit to provide a visual indication of the height of a desired shelf notch.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Greg A. Bryan, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell
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Publication number: 20190205822Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include an electronic scanning device, an electronic database, and an electronic inventory management device for analyzing products at a retail store in order to detect products at the retail store that are associated with mis-shipments and to adjust perpetual inventory at the retail store in view of a detected mis-shipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell, Jeffrey Kerbs, Jesse L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20190034875Abstract: Upon the occurrence of the nil pick, an amount of product that is available in the warehouse is determined as is a demand of the product from the replenishment settings. When the amount of product is sufficient to partially satisfy the demand, first instructions are transmitted to the warehouse instructing the warehouse to send selected amounts of the product to selected retail stores. When the amount of product is insufficient to satisfy any of the demand, a message is sent to a secondary supplier instructing the secondary supplier to ship products to the warehouse. Instructions are transmitted to the warehouse to perform a verification of an accuracy of the replenishment settings.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David B. Brightwell, Matthew A. Jones, Benjamin D. Enssle, Jesse L. Eaton, Todd D. Mattingly
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Publication number: 20190023102Abstract: A first duct, second duct, third duct, and fourth duct extend across at least a part of a first zone and at least a part of a second zone of a vehicle, and each are configured with one or more vents. Each of the vents has an adjustable opening allowing the transfer of air produced by first or second refrigeration units from the duct. An adjustment is caused to one or more of the position of the openings of the vents, the operation of the first refrigeration unit, and the operation of the second refrigeration unit. The adjustment is effective to maintain a first temperature in the first zone and a second temperature in the second zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Benjamin D. Enssle, Cristy C. Brooks, David C. Winkle, John P. Thompson, David B. Brightwell
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Publication number: 20180341906Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Cristy C. Brooks, David B. Brightwell, Benjamin D. Enssle
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Publication number: 20180283863Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to quickly and accurately determine shelf notch height for a shelving unit. This is particularly advantageous to determine whether shelves in the shelving unit were installed at the correct height and/or for installing shelves at desired heights. In some embodiments, a measurement member is provided with a bottom offset and shelf notch indicator portions. A horizontal position indicator can then be aligned with a desired shelf notch indicator portion and project outwardly therefrom towards a shelving unit to provide a visual indication of the height of a desired shelf notch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Benjamin D. Enssle, David B. Brightwell