Patents by Inventor John S. Meredith

John S. Meredith 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: 12026676
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to verifying integrity of associate training. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for verifying integrity of associate training at a facility including a plurality of wireless devices; a plurality of sensors; one or more databases; and a control circuit. By one approach; the control circuit is configured to: receive first and second associate identifiers; determine first, second, and third areas; determine whether the first, second, and third areas each correspond to the same area, wherein the determination verifies that the trainer-associate is with the trainee-associate at a designated area associated with a first training module; and provide a verification message that the first training module has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Jason S. Hayes, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jennifer L Hedges
  • Patent number: 11810055
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to verify accuracy of a shipment. In some embodiments, items loaded to and/or unloaded from a delivery vehicle are scanned and compared to a delivery schedule, and a unique identifier is provided to confirm proper loading/unloading at a subsequent scheduled stop of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
  • Patent number: 11783285
    Abstract: Yard management systems and methods are described. A yard management system comprises a database holding load information, a mobile application associated with a user account and executable on a mobile device. The mobile application when executed acquires the identifications of the load, queries the database for the load information, and generates a machine-readable representation corresponding to the identifications of the load, an autonomous yard vehicle configured to mechanically couple with a cargo trailer. The system further comprises a computing system programmed to, in response to detecting the mobile device at the transfer location, navigate to the cargo trailer and guide the coupling between the autonomous yard vehicle and the cargo trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Blake A. Baldwin, Jimmy L. Easter, Adam L. Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
  • Patent number: 11783303
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for facilitating submission of repair requests by carriers having to repair trailers to domicile facilities associated with the trailers. A central computing device provides a first graphical interface accessible by a computing device of a carrier having to repair a trailer in order to permit the carrier to submit a repair request indicating repair needed for the trailer. The central computing device then generates an invoice for the repair to the trailer directed to a domicile facility associated with the trailer. The central computing device also transmits an alert including the invoice to a computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, receives a response from the computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, and transmits a notification indicating whether the repair request has been approved by the domicile facility associated with the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20230177447
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to verify accuracy of a shipment. In some embodiments, items loaded to and/or unloaded from a delivery vehicle are scanned and compared to a delivery schedule, and a unique identifier is provided to confirm proper loading/unloading at a subsequent scheduled stop of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
  • Patent number: 11593749
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to verify accuracy of a shipment. In some embodiments, items loaded to and/or unloaded from a delivery vehicle are scanned and compared to a delivery schedule, and a unique identifier is provided to confirm proper loading/unloading at a subsequent scheduled stop of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo. LLC
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
  • Publication number: 20220351145
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to verifying integrity of associate training. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for verifying integrity of associate training at a facility including a plurality of wireless devices; a plurality of sensors; one or more databases; and a control circuit. By one approach; the control circuit is configured to: receive first and second associate identifiers; determine first, second, and third areas; determine whether the first, second, and third areas each correspond to the same area, wherein the determination verifies that the trainer-associate is with the trainee-associate at a designated area associated with a first training module; and provide a verification message that the first training module has been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jason S. Hayes, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jennifer L. Hedges
  • Publication number: 20220309459
    Abstract: Yard management systems and methods are described. A yard management system comprises a database holding load information, a mobile application associated with a user account and executable on a mobile device. The mobile application when executed acquires the identifications of the load, queries the database for the load information, and generates a machine-readable representation corresponding to the identifications of the load, an autonomous yard vehicle configured to mechanically couple with a cargo trailer. The system further comprises a computing system programmed to, in response to detecting the mobile device at the transfer location, navigate to the cargo trailer and guide the coupling between the autonomous yard vehicle and the cargo trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Blake A. Baldwin, Jimmy L. Easter, Adam L. Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
  • Publication number: 20220129864
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for facilitating submission of repair requests by carriers having to repair trailers to domicile facilities associated with the trailers. A central computing device provides a first graphical interface accessible by a computing device of a carrier having to repair a trailer in order to permit the carrier to submit a repair request indicating repair needed for the trailer. The central computing device then generates an invoice for the repair to the trailer directed to a domicile facility associated with the trailer. The central computing device also transmits an alert including the invoice to a computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, receives a response from the computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, and transmits a notification indicating whether the repair request has been approved by the domicile facility associated with the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20220092536
    Abstract: Yard management systems and methods are described. A yard management system comprises a database holding load information, a mobile application associated with a user account and executable on a mobile device. The mobile application when executed acquires the identifications of the load, queries the database for the load information, and generates a machine-readable representation corresponding to the identifications of the load, an autonomous yard vehicle configured to mechanically ample with a cargo trailer. The system further comprises a computing system programmed to, in response to detecting the mobile device at the transfer location, navigate to the cargo trailer and guide the coupling between the autonomous yard vehicle and tire cargo trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Blake A. Baldwin, Jimmy L. Easter, Adam L. Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
  • Patent number: 11250389
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for facilitating submission of repair requests by carriers having to repair trailers to domicile facilities associated with the trailers. A central computing device provides a first graphical interface accessible by a computing device of a carrier having to repair a trailer in order to permit the carrier to submit a repair request indicating repair needed for the trailer. The central computing device then generates an invoice for the repair to the trailer directed to a domicile facility associated with the trailer. The central computing device also transmits an alert including the invoice to a computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, receives a response from the computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, and transmits a notification indicating whether the repair request has been approved by the domicile facility associated with the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20220019966
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to verify accuracy of a shipment. In some embodiments, items loaded to and/or unloaded from a delivery vehicle are scanned and compared to a delivery schedule, and a unique identifier is provided to confirm proper loading/unloading at a subsequent scheduled stop of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
  • Patent number: 11157865
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to verify accuracy of a shipment. In some embodiments, items loaded to and/or unloaded from a delivery vehicle are scanned and compared to a delivery schedule, and a unique identifier is provided to confirm proper loading/unloading at a subsequent scheduled stop of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
  • Publication number: 20210216966
    Abstract: Yard management systems and methods are described. A yard management system comprises a database holding load information, a mobile application associated with a user account and executable on a mobile device. The mobile application when executed acquires the identifications of the load, queries the database for the load information, and generates a machine-readable representation corresponding to the identifications of the load, an autonomous yard vehicle configured to mechanically ample with a cargo trailer. The system further comprises a computing system programmed to, in response to detecting the mobile device at the transfer location, navigate to the cargo trailer and guide the coupling between the autonomous yard vehicle and tire cargo trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Blake A. Baldwin, Jimmy L. Easter, Adam L. Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
  • Patent number: 10970670
    Abstract: Yard management systems and methods are described. A yard management system comprises a database holding load information, a mobile application associated with a user account and executable on a mobile device. The mobile application when executed acquires the identifications of the load, queries the database for the load information, and generates a machine-readable representation corresponding to the identifications of the load, an autonomous yard vehicle configured to mechanically couple with a cargo trailer. The system further comprises a computing system programmed to, in response to detecting the mobile device at the transfer location, navigate to the cargo trailer and guide the coupling between the autonomous yard vehicle and the cargo trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Blake Andrew Baldwin, Jimmy Easter, Adam Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
  • Patent number: 10963884
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for processing reimbursement requests submitted by retail stores to distribution centers responsible for delivering products to the retail stores. A claim processing server is configured to analyze a reimbursement request, an associated electronic invoice, and a set of business rules, all of which are stored in electronic databases and obtained by the processing server. Based on this analysis, the claim processing server is programmed to either approve or deny the reimbursement request submitted by a retail store, and if the reimbursement request is approved, to generate a corrected invoice to be sent to the distribution center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20200402022
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for facilitating submission of repair requests by carriers having to repair trailers to domicile facilities associated with the trailers. A central computing device provides a first graphical interface accessible by a computing device of a carrier having to repair a trailer in order to permit the carrier to submit a repair request indicating repair needed for the trailer. The central computing device then generates an invoice for the repair to the trailer directed to a domicile facility associated with the trailer. The central computing device also transmits an alert including the invoice to a computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, receives a response from the computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, and transmits a notification indicating whether the repair request has been approved by the domicile facility associated with the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
  • Patent number: 10796287
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for facilitating submission of repair requests by carriers having to repair trailers to domicile facilities associated with the trailers. A central computing device provides a first graphical interface accessible by a computing device of a carrier having to repair a trailer in order to permit the carrier to submit a repair request indicating repair needed for the trailer. The central computing device then generates an invoice for the repair to the trailer directed to a domicile facility associated with the trailer. The central computing device also transmits an alert including the invoice to a computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, receives a response from the computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, and transmits a notification indicating whether the repair request has been approved by the domicile facility associated with the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20200302399
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to verifying integrity of associate training. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for verifying integrity of associate training at a facility including a plurality of wireless access points; a plurality of cameras; one or more databases; a remote control circuit; and a portable electronic device. By one approach; the remote control circuit is configured to: receive first and second associate identifiers; receive one or more images; determine whether a portion of the one or more images substantially correspond to a stored image; determine first, second, and third areas; determine whether the first, second, and third areas each correspond to the same area, wherein the determination verifies that the trainer-associate is with the trainee-associate at a designated area associated with a training module; and provide a verification message that the training module has been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Jason S. Hayes, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jennifer L. Hedges
  • Publication number: 20200061927
    Abstract: Described in detail herein is a system for fabricating contoured divider walls using a 3D printer. The system includes a vehicle trailer that has a storage volume. The storage volume is configured to store pallets. Sensors are configured to identify physical attributes associated with the storage volume and each of the pallets. The system can further include a 3D printing device and a computing system coupled to the sensors and the 3D printing device. The computing system is configured to receive the physical attributes of the storage volume and each of the pallets, to divide the pallets into multiple sets of pallets based on position of each of the pallets in the storage volume, to determine a contour shape of each set of pallets in the multiple sets of pallets, and to transmit a first set of instructions instructing the 3D printing device to fabricate one or more divider walls for a set of pallets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, John S. Meredith, Timothy J. Burleson