Patents by Inventor John Swafford
John Swafford 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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Publication number: 20220000283Abstract: Systems and methods for a merchandizing display related to a continuous display formed by electronic displays embedded along product shelves and on the packages stored on the product shelves. An electronic label device may detect the presence of a consumer and send a trigger to the packages on its product shelf. The electronic label device may also send a trigger to surrounding electronic label devices. A streaming video may then be apportioned among displays on electronic label devices and the packages. Each of the displays may simultaneously output a different portion of the streaming video.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventor: John Swafford
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Patent number: 11109692Abstract: Systems and methods for a merchandizing display related to a continuous display formed by electronic displays embedded along product shelves and on the packages stored on the product shelves. An electronic label device may detect the presence of a consumer and send a trigger to the packages on its product shelf. The electronic label device may also send a trigger to surrounding electronic label devices. A streaming video may then be apportioned among displays on electronic label devices and the packages. Each of the displays may simultaneously output a different portion of the streaming video.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventor: John Swafford
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Publication number: 20190282000Abstract: Systems and methods for a merchandizing display related to a continuous display formed by electronic displays embedded along product shelves and on the packages stored on the product shelves. An electronic label device may detect the presence of a consumer and send a trigger to the packages on its product shelf. The electronic label device may also send a trigger to surrounding electronic label devices. A streaming video may then be apportioned among displays on electronic label devices and the packages. Each of the displays may simultaneously output a different portion of the streaming video.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventor: John Swafford
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Publication number: 20190279149Abstract: Systems and methods related to sensor-equipped display management systems. In one aspect, the systems and methods may be utilized to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. In another aspect, the systems and methods may be utilized to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: John Swafford, Patrick Costello
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Publication number: 20190272498Abstract: Systems and methods related to a store intelligence system can include a plurality of end-point devices associated with a product shelf configured to display product, and a plurality of hubs each positioned adjacent to one or more of the plurality of end-point devices. One or more of the plurality of end-point devices can be configured to detect and transmit inventory information to a predetermined adjacent hub of the plurality of hubs or to receive and display price information or product information from a predetermined hub of the plurality of hubs. Each of the hubs can be configured to receive inventory information from one or more of the plurality of endpoint devices, provide alerts, transmit inventory information to a network, receive price information and product information, and transmit the price information and product information to one or more of the plurality of end-point devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventor: John Swafford
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Patent number: 10357118Abstract: Systems and methods for a merchandizing display related to a continuous display formed by electronic displays embedded along product shelves and on the packages stored on the product shelves. An electronic label device may detect the presence of a consumer and send a trigger to the packages on its product shelf. The electronic label device may also send a trigger to surrounding electronic label devices. A streaming video may then be apportioned among displays on electronic label devices and the packages. Each of the displays may simultaneously output a different portion of the streaming video.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventor: John Swafford
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Patent number: 10339495Abstract: Systems and methods related to sensor-equipped display management systems. In one aspect, the systems and methods may be utilized to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. In another aspect, the systems and methods may be utilized to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: John Swafford, Patrick Costello
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Patent number: 9829178Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: David S. Breslow, John Swafford
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Patent number: 9777904Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: David S. Breslow, John Swafford
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Publication number: 20160134930Abstract: Systems and methods for a merchandizing display related to a continuous display formed by electronic displays embedded along product shelves and on the packages stored on the product shelves. An electronic label device may detect the presence of a consumer and send a trigger to the packages on its product shelf. The electronic label device may also send a trigger to surrounding electronic label devices. A streaming video may then be apportioned among displays on electronic label devices and the packages. Each of the displays may simultaneously output a different portion of the streaming video.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventor: John Swafford
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Publication number: 20160132823Abstract: Systems and methods related to sensor-equipped display management systems. In one aspect, the systems and methods may be utilized to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. In another aspect, the systems and methods may be utilized to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: John Swafford, Patrick Costello
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Publication number: 20160132822Abstract: Systems and methods related to a store intelligence system can include a plurality of end-point devices associated with a product shelf configured to display product, and a plurality of hubs each positioned adjacent to one or more of the plurality of end-point devices. One or more of the plurality of end-point devices can be configured to detect and transmit inventory information to a predetermined adjacent hub of the plurality of hubs or to receive and display price information or product information from a predetermined hub of the plurality of hubs. Each of the hubs can be configured to receive inventory information from one or more of the plurality of endpoint devices, provide alerts, transmit inventory information to a network, receive price information and product information, and transmit the price information and product information to one or more of the plurality of end-point devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventor: John Swafford
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Publication number: 20160091168Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: David S. Breslow, John Swafford
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Patent number: 7669722Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
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Patent number: 7621409Abstract: A low profile shelf system that improves the merchandising of product by creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product includes low profile shelf supports. Each low-profile shelf support may define a back portion and a front portion. The back portion may include a fastening plate attached thereto, each fastening plate having a hook formation that can be inserted into a slotted upright. The back portion of the shelf support may be at least 75% vertically longer than the front portion, resulting in the front portion having a significantly lower profile than the back portion of the shelf support, thereby creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2007Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford, David Henke
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Publication number: 20090166304Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
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Patent number: 7497341Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
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Publication number: 20080135507Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
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Publication number: 20080061015Abstract: A low profile shelf system that improves the merchandising of product by creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product includes low profile shelf supports. Each low-profile shelf support may define a back portion and a front portion. The back portion may include a fastening plate attached thereto, each fastening plate having a hook formation that can be inserted into a slotted upright. The back portion of the shelf support may be at least 75% vertically longer than the front portion, resulting in the front portion having a significantly lower profile than the back portion of the shelf support, thereby creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford, David Henke
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Patent number: 7299934Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford