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).

  • Publication number: 20220000283
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventor: John Swafford
  • Patent number: 11109692
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Swafford
  • Publication number: 20190282000
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventor: John Swafford
  • Publication number: 20190279149
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: John Swafford, Patrick Costello
  • Publication number: 20190272498
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventor: John Swafford
  • Patent number: 10357118
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Swafford
  • Patent number: 10339495
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Swafford, Patrick Costello
  • Patent number: 9829178
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Breslow, John Swafford
  • Patent number: 9777904
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Breslow, John Swafford
  • Publication number: 20160134930
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: John Swafford
  • Publication number: 20160132823
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: John Swafford, Patrick Costello
  • Publication number: 20160132822
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: John Swafford
  • Publication number: 20160091168
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: David S. Breslow, John Swafford
  • Patent number: 7669722
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Patent number: 7621409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford, David Henke
  • Publication number: 20090166304
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Patent number: 7497341
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Publication number: 20080135507
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Publication number: 20080061015
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford, David Henke
  • Patent number: 7299934
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford