Patents by Inventor Eric A. Letson

Eric A. Letson 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: 20230401938
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to projecting action indicators on items in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an image capture device configured to capture an image of a shelving unit, a control circuit configured to identify items located in the shelving unit, determine an action item for an item located in the shelving unit, identify boundaries of the item, and generate an action image including an action indicator based on the action item for the item, wherein the action indicator is located within the boundaries of the item, and a display device configured to present the action image on the shelving unit, wherein the action indicator is presented on the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Tom G. Douglass, Jason D. Bellar
  • Patent number: 11776366
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to projecting action indicators on items in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an image capture device configured to capture an image of a shelving unit, a control circuit configured to identify items located in the shelving unit, determine an action item for an item located in the shelving unit, identify boundaries of the item, and generate an action image including an action indicator based on the action item for the item, wherein the action indicator is located within the boundaries of the item, and a display device configured to present the action image on the shelving unit, wherein the action indicator is presented on the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Tom G. Douglass, Jason D. Bellar
  • Patent number: 11717948
    Abstract: Examples provide an electronic shelf label (ESL) removal tool for removing an electronic shelf label from a shelf. The tool includes a central body member which is substantially cylindrical. A gripping member is included at a first end of the central body enabling a user to grip the tool. An expansion member at a second end of the central body slides between a shelf rail to expand or increase a distance between the rails. The tool enables the user to remove the ESL from between the rails more easily. A wedge-shaped tab at the second end of the central body fits between one edge of the shelf rail and the edge of the ESL to pry the ESL out from between the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Letson
  • Publication number: 20230196888
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to projecting action indicators on items in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an image capture device configured to capture an image of a shelving unit, a control circuit configured to identify items located in the shelving unit, determine an action item for an item located in the shelving unit, identify boundaries of the item, and generate an action image including an action indicator based on the action item for the item, wherein the action indicator is located within the boundaries of the item, and a display device configured to present the action image on the shelving unit, wherein the action indicator is presented on the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Tom G. Douglass, Jason D. Bellar
  • Patent number: 11429926
    Abstract: The appearance of a properly-configured display that includes a plurality of discrete components is specified and then at least one image is formed that includes the appearance of the properly-configured display. The image (or images) and corresponding information regarding the discrete loose components is provided to a retail shopping facility and used in conjunction with a mobile camera-equipped device to visually overlay the image over a view of a display to thereby facilitate comparing the display with the appearance of a properly-configured display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Eric A. Letson, John P. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20220153182
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to receiving retail products. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for receiving retail products including a storage container. The storage container includes one or more chambers; one or more sensors including at least a radio frequency sensor; a locking assembly; and a storage container control circuit configured to provide an unlock signal based on a first trigger signal associated with at least one of the one or more sensors and a second trigger signal associated with an electronic control device to enable access to the one or more chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Bruce W. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11235694
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to receiving retail products. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for receiving retail products including: a temperature controlled storage container and comprising: one or more chambers having corresponding chamber temperatures that are each individually maintained and adjustable based on a particular temperature assigned by a server to each of the one or more chambers; one or more temperature sensors; a locking system; and a storage container control circuit configured to: receive the particular temperature; and maintain each one of the corresponding chamber temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Bruce W. Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20210268633
    Abstract: Examples provide an electronic shelf label (ESL) removal tool for removing an electronic shelf label from a shelf The tool includes a central body member which is substantially cylindrical. A gripping member is included at a first end of the central body enabling a user to grip the tool. An expansion member at a second end of the central body slides between a shelf rail to expand or increase a distance between the rails. The tool enables the user to remove the ESL from between the rails more easily. A wedge-shaped tab at the second end of the central body fits between one edge of the shelf rail and the edge of the ESL to pry the ESL out from between the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Letson
  • Patent number: 11068861
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein for creating a purchase voucher. In one embodiment, a method of creating a purchase voucher is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a network accessible user interface for configuring the purchase voucher, receiving a selection of a voucher type through the user interface, receiving a selection of one or more products through the user interface, generating voucher usage parameters based on at least the selection of the voucher type and the selection of the one or more products, associating the voucher usage parameters with a voucher identifier, the voucher identifier being configured to be used by a customer to redeem the purchase voucher with a retailer, and storing the voucher usage parameters and the associated voucher identifier at a networked database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Emily D. McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20210097821
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to projecting action indicators on items in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an image capture device configured to capture an image of a shelving unit, a control circuit configured to identify items located in the shelving unit, determine an action item for an item located in the shelving unit, identify boundaries of the item, and generate an action image including an action indicator based on the action item for the item, wherein the action indicator is located within the boundaries of the item, and a display device configured to present the action image on the shelving unit, wherein the action indicator is presented on the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Tom G. Douglass, Jason D. Bellar
  • Patent number: 10896584
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to projecting action indicators on items in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an image capture device configured to capture an image of a shelving unit, a control circuit configured to identify items located in the shelving unit, determine an action item for an item located in the shelving unit, identify boundaries of the item, and generate an action image including an action indicator based on the action item for the item, wherein the action indicator is located within the boundaries of the item, and a display device configured to present the action image on the shelving unit, wherein the action indicator is presented on the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Tom G. Douglass, Jason D. Bellar
  • Publication number: 20200349815
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to projecting action indicators on items in a retail facility. In some embodiments, a system comprises an image capture device configured to capture an image of a shelving unit, a control circuit configured to identify items located in the shelving unit, determine an action item for an item located in the shelving unit, identify boundaries of the item, and generate an action image including an action indicator based on the action item for the item, wherein the action indicator is located within the boundaries of the item, and a display device configured to present the action image on the shelving unit, wherein the action indicator is presented on the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Tom G. Douglass, Jason D. Bellar
  • Patent number: 10807714
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein that enable delivery of retail products. Some embodiments provide delivery systems comprising: a package support frame comprising first and second package supports, and a pivot coupler pivotably securing the first package support with the second package support; and a first release plate positioned across a separation between the first and second package supports, and comprising: a set of at least one angled locking grooves; a set of at least one groove pins slidably positioned within a respective one of the locking grooves; and a release tab configured to contact a surface and cause an unlocking of the first release plate such that the release plate moves with the locking grooves sliding along respective groove pins such that the base of the package support pivots away from the base of the second package support enlarging a package release aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Atchley, John P. Thompson, Eric A. Letson, Robert C. Taylor, Nathan G. Jones
  • Patent number: 10625899
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein that enable delivery of retail products. Some embodiments provide retail product delivery transport packages, comprising: a base; a first set of tapered walls comprising at least two side walls that are separated by a length of the base and extend from the base at an angle such that a distance between the first tapered wall and the second tapered wall at the opening is greater than a distance between the first tapered wall and the second tapered wall at the base, and wherein the first and second tapered walls are configured to frictionally engage first and second tapered package support walls, respectively, of a delivery package carrier system; and a second set of at least one wall comprising at least a first vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Atchley, Robert C. Taylor, John P. Thompson, Eric A. Letson
  • Publication number: 20200010008
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to receiving retail products. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for receiving retail products including: a temperature controlled storage container and comprising: one or more chambers having corresponding chamber temperatures that are each individually maintained and adjustable based on a particular temperature assigned by a server to each of the one or more chambers; one or more temperature sensors; a locking system; and a storage container control circuit configured to: receive the particular temperature; and maintain each one of the corresponding chamber temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Bruce W. Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20200008003
    Abstract: Provided is a presence-based volume control system. The system may include a surround sound receiver and a volume control unit coupled in-line between a speaker and the surround sound receiver. The volume control unit may include a microprocessor, a position sensor coupled to the microprocessor, an audio input coupled to the surround sound receiver, an audio output coupled to the speaker, and an audio amplifier coupled to and controlled by the microprocessor and coupled to the audio input and the audio output. In operation, the position sensor determines a position of a user of a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device or a mixed reality device and the microprocessor automatically adjusts a volume of the speaker coupled to the surround sound receiver in response to the proximity of the user to the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: John Paul Thompson, Eric A. Letson
  • Patent number: 10457393
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for receiving aerial vehicle delivery. An apparatus for receiving aerial vehicle delivery comprises a receiving pad configured to receive a package released by an aerial vehicle; one or more accessory couplers attached to the receiving pad and configured to allow a receiving pad accessory to couple to and uncouple from the receiving pad; and a wall portion surrounding at least a portion of the receiving pad, the wall portion being removably coupled to the receiving pad via an accessory coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Thompson, David C. Winkle, Eric A. Letson
  • Patent number: 10449889
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to receiving retail products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Letson, Bruce W. Wilkinson, Todd D. Mattingly
  • Publication number: 20190313831
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus is presented. The cooking apparatus includes multiple independently controlled food preparation zones. The cooking apparatus further includes a network interface and a scanning device integrated into the cooking apparatus and configured to read a machine-readable identifier of a meal kit. The cooking apparatus additionally includes a processor in communication with each of the food preparation zones and that independently controls a temperature and time of food preparation in each of the food preparation zones in accordance with a set of cooking instructions retrieved via the network interface using the machine-readable identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Brian Charlesworth, David G. Tovey, Eric Letson, Kurt William Robert Bessel
  • Publication number: 20190315551
    Abstract: A meal kit and a method of using the meal kit are presented. The meal kit includes a liner for a network-connected cooking apparatus, the liner having multiple segmented areas, each segmented area containing a food product. The liner also includes a machine-readable code disposed on the liner that is utilized to access information relating to cooking temperature and cooking time for each segment. The liner is configured to be placed into a cooking apparatus and align with different individually controllable cooking zones in the cooking apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Greg A. Bryan, Kurt William Robert Bessel, Brian Charlesworth, David G. Tovey, Eric Letson