Patents by Inventor Jason D. Shaffer

Jason D. Shaffer 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: 20240119405
    Abstract: Systems, method and computer readable medium are provided for automated storage and retrieval. User authentication information is received via a user interface for a dynamic storage and retrieval device. The user identity is verified based upon the authentication information and previously stored authentication data. Order information is retrieved for an order associated with the user following the verifying of user identity, the order information indicating one or more locations for items associated with the order. Instructions are transmitted to initiate a physical opening of at least one of the dynamic storage and retrieval device and at least one static storage location to enable the user to retrieve at least one item of the order, the static storage location including a controller controlling a locking mechanism and communicatively coupled to the dynamic storage and retrieval device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Paul Edward Durkee, Stuart William Clark, Colin Holmes, Jason D. Shaffer, Mark R. Ibbotson, John Suarez
  • Patent number: 11699114
    Abstract: Examples provide a system and method for managing non-notifying customer orders for pickup. An order manager component identifies orders received from customers that typically do not provide advance notification prior to arrival at an order pickup location. A prioritization component assigns a priority to each order based on a per-customer confidence level. Customers providing notification and new customers receive the highest priority. Non-notifying customers having consistent pickup times associated with a threshold minimum number of previous orders receive a second highest priority. Non-notifying customers having inconsistent pickup arrival times and/or fewer than the threshold number of previous orders receive lower priority. A routing schedule is generated for pre-staging the orders based on the assigned priorities, pre-staging area capacity, and/or bot capacity. Totes are moved to the prestaging area based on instructions provided in the routing schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Roth, Paul Durkee, Jason D. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20220092497
    Abstract: Examples provide a system and method for managing non-notifying customer orders for pickup. An order manager component identifies orders received from customers that typically do not provide advance notification prior to arrival at an order pickup location. A prioritization component assigns a priority to each order based on a per-customer confidence level. Customers providing notification and new customers receive the highest priority. Non-notifying customers having consistent pickup times associated with a threshold minimum number of previous orders receive a second highest priority. Non-notifying customers having inconsistent pickup arrival times and/or fewer than the threshold number of previous orders receive lower priority. A routing schedule is generated for pre-staging the orders based on the assigned priorities, pre-staging area capacity, and/or bot capacity. Totes are moved to the prestaging area based on instructions provided in the routing schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Roth, Paul Durkee, Jason D. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20210004760
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for managing pickup order staging. A method comprises triggering a pick task for the pickup order via the task management device, wherein the pick task comprises staging filled totes in a section of a staging area assigned to the due time of the pickup order and densely stacking totes assigned to different orders together to a set height and triggering a breakdown task at the breakdown start time via the task management device, wherein the breakdown task comprises separating totes in the staging area assigned to the due time of the pickup order onto multiple movable platforms based on the order serial numbers on each tote.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Paul E. Durkee, Jason D. Shaffer, Tawfeek Abohammdan, Stuart W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20200017300
    Abstract: Described in detail herein is an autonomous object storage and retrieval system. In one embodiment, an object storage and retrieval system includes a computing system hosting a service application and in communication with a database and storage towers configured to store and dispense physical objects. Each storage tower is in communication with the computing system and has an octagonal prism-shaped housing. Each storage tower includes, a shelving unit disposed within the housing, the shelving unit configured to one or more of the physical objects, a controller, a transport apparatus, an input device, an interactive display, and a repository. The computing system can transmit instructions to the first storage tower to render the status of the first physical object on the interactive display of the storage tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Edward Durkee, Jason D. Shaffer, Mark Ibbotson, John Suarez, Colin Holmes
  • Patent number: 10463095
    Abstract: Methods and systems of detection of presence in and delivery to location are provided. A method detects a presence of a mobile device within a perimeter of a geographic region. The method searches a database to determine whether the first mobile device is associated with any existing account. Responsive to determining that the mobile device is associated with a first account, the method searches the database to determine whether there is any pending task associated with the first account. Responsive to determining that there is a pending task associated with the first account, the method transmits a first message indicating the detection of presence of the mobile device associated with the first account. The method determines that the mobile device is at least approximately at a first location of a plurality of predefined locations within the perimeter. The method transmits information associated with the first location to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Shaffer, Rachael Ulman, David J. Carr, Richard Ramsden, Timothy J. Burleson, Mark J. Valentine, Corey L. Peach, Kuleni Gebisa
  • Publication number: 20190150536
    Abstract: Methods and systems of detection of presence in and delivery to location are provided. A method detects a presence of a mobile device within a perimeter of a geographic region. The method searches a database to determine whether the first mobile device is associated with any existing account. Responsive to determining that the mobile device is associated with a first account, the method searches the database to determine whether there is any pending task associated with the first account. Responsive to determining that there is a pending task associated with the first account, the method transmits a first message indicating the detection of presence of the mobile device associated with the first account. The method determines that the mobile device is at least approximately at a first location of a plurality of predefined locations within the perimeter. The method transmits information associated with the first location to the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Jason D. Shaffer, Rachael Ulman, David J. Carr, Richard Ramsden, Timothy J. Burleson, Mark J. Valentine, Corey L. Peach, Kuleni Gebisa
  • Patent number: 10219561
    Abstract: Methods and systems of detection of presence in and delivery to location are provided. A method detects a presence of a mobile device within a perimeter of a geographic region. The method searches a database to determine whether the first mobile device is associated with any existing account. Responsive to determining that the mobile device is associated with a first account, the method searches the database to determine whether there is any pending task associated with the first account. Responsive to determining that there is a pending task associated with the first account, the method transmits a first message indicating the detection of presence of the mobile device associated with the first account. The method determines that the mobile device is at least approximately at a first location of a plurality of predefined locations within the perimeter. The method transmits information associated with the first location to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Shaffer, Rachael Ulman, David J. Carr, Richard Ramsden, Timothy J. Burleson, Mark J. Valentine, Corey L. Peach, Kuleni Gebisa
  • Patent number: 10185984
    Abstract: Embodiments of a computer-implemented method and system pertaining to drive through grocery pickup are described. In one example, a computer-implemented method receives geographic information about a user. The geographic information indicates that the user is within a predetermined area associated with the physical store. The method also determines whether there is a pending remotely placed order for a user account associated with the user in a database associated with the physical store. In response to a determination that there is the pending remotely placed order for the user account associated with the user in the database, the method transmits order information to a computing device of the physical store. The order information includes one or more items in the pending remotely placed order. The method also determines a current location of the user. The method further causes a delivery of the one or more items to the current location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Shaffer, Rachael Ulman, Richard Ramsden, David Jon Carr, Mark J. Valentine, Corey L. Peach, Kevin A. Ruehle, David G. Tovey, Todd W. Franke, Timothy James Burleson, Danielle McPherson, Kuleni Gebisa
  • Publication number: 20180014154
    Abstract: Methods and systems of detection of presence in and delivery to location are provided. A method detects a presence of a mobile device within a perimeter of a geographic region. The method searches a database to determine whether the first mobile device is associated with any existing account. Responsive to determining that the mobile device is associated with a first account, the method searches the database to determine whether there is any pending task associated with the first account. Responsive to determining that there is a pending task associated with the first account, the method transmits a first message indicating the detection of presence of the mobile device associated with the first account. The method determines that the mobile device is at least approximately at a first location of a plurality of predefined locations within the perimeter. The method transmits information associated with the first location to the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jason D. Shaffer, Rachael Ulman, David J. Carr, Richard Ramsden, Timothy J. Burleson, Mark J. Valentine, Corey L. Peach, Kuleni Gebisa
  • Patent number: 9788157
    Abstract: Methods and systems of detection of presence in and delivery to location are provided. A method detects a presence of a mobile device within a perimeter of a geographic region. The method searches a database to determine whether the first mobile device is associated with any existing account. Responsive to determining that the mobile device is associated with a first account, the method searches the database to determine whether there is any pending task associated with the first account. Responsive to determining that there is a pending task associated with the first account, the method transmits a first message indicating the detection of presence of the mobile device associated with the first account. The method determines that the mobile device is at least approximately at a first location of a plurality of predefined locations within the perimeter. The method transmits information associated with the first location to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Walmart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Shaffer, Rachael Ulman, David Jon Carr, Richard Ramsden, Timothy James Burleson, Mark J. Valentine, Corey L. Peach, Kuleni Gebisa
  • Publication number: 20170055120
    Abstract: Methods and systems of detection of presence in and delivery to location are provided. A method detects a presence of a mobile device within a perimeter of a geographic region. The method searches a database to determine whether the first mobile device is associated with any existing account. Responsive to determining that the mobile device is associated with a first account, the method searches the database to determine whether there is any pending task associated with the first account. Responsive to determining that there is a pending task associated with the first account, the method transmits a first message indicating the detection of presence of the mobile device associated with the first account. The method determines that the mobile device is at least approximately at a first location of a plurality of predefined locations within the perimeter. The method transmits information associated with the first location to the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: JASON D. SHAFFER, RACHAEL ULMAN, DAVID JON CARR, RICHARD RAMSDEN, TIMOTHY JAMES BURLESON, MARK J. VALENTINE, COREY L. PEACH, KULENI GEBISA
  • Publication number: 20160063604
    Abstract: Embodiments of a computer-implemented method and system pertaining to drive through grocery pickup are described. In one example, a computer-implemented method receives geographic information about a user. The geographic information indicates that the user is within a predetermined area associated with the physical store. The method also determines whether there is a pending remotely placed order for a user account associated with the user in a database associated with the physical store. In response to a determination that there is the pending remotely placed order for the user account associated with the user in the database, the method transmits order information to a computing device of the physical store. The order information includes one or more items in the pending remotely placed order. The method also determines a current location of the user. The method further causes a delivery of the one or more items to the current location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Jason D. Shaffer, Rachael Ulman, Richard Ramsden, David Jon Carr, Mark J. Valentine, Corey L. Peach, Kevin A. Ruehle, David G. Tovey, Todd W. Franke, Timothy James Burleson, Danielle McPherson, Kuleni Gebisa