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).
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Patent number: 12026676Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 15, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLCInventors: Jason S. Hayes, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jennifer L Hedges
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Patent number: 11810055Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2023Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
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Patent number: 11783285Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Blake A. Baldwin, Jimmy L. Easter, Adam L. Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
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Patent number: 11783303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
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Publication number: 20230177447Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
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Patent number: 11593749Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Walmart Apollo. LLCInventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
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Publication number: 20220351145Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Jason S. Hayes, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jennifer L. Hedges
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Publication number: 20220309459Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Blake A. Baldwin, Jimmy L. Easter, Adam L. Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
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Publication number: 20220129864Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
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Publication number: 20220092536Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Blake A. Baldwin, Jimmy L. Easter, Adam L. Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
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Patent number: 11250389Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
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Publication number: 20220019966Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
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Patent number: 11157865Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Todd D. Mattingly
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Publication number: 20210216966Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Blake A. Baldwin, Jimmy L. Easter, Adam L. Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
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Patent number: 10970670Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Blake Andrew Baldwin, Jimmy Easter, Adam Cline, Joseph Courtland Halbrook, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jacob R. Schrader
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Patent number: 10963884Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
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Publication number: 20200402022Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
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Patent number: 10796287Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith
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Publication number: 20200302399Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Jason S. Hayes, Timothy J. Burleson, John S. Meredith, Andrew B. Millhouse, Jennifer L. Hedges
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Publication number: 20200061927Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Andrew B. Millhouse, John S. Meredith, Timothy J. Burleson