Patents by Inventor Randall B. Smith

Randall B. Smith 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: 11966868
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments for sorting-based assignment to optimize order fulfillment with short supply. One embodiment includes identifying a set of one or more distributions within a series of days. Sorting all demands of a first priority level occurring in the series of days by ascending order of size of the demand. For each demand of the first priority level in sorted order, (a) selecting an initial distribution during which the demand is scheduled to be fulfilled from the set of distributions, and (b) generating an indication that the demand can cannot be completely fulfilled, based on the size of the demand and the amount of supply available. Automatically arranging a graphical representation of a schedule of supplies and met and unmet demands for the series of days in a graphical user interface based at least on the indications generated for each demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Jing Long, Randall B. Smith, Alan P. Wood
  • Publication number: 20240046201
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with assigning supply to demand from multiple supply sources are described. In one embodiment, a method includes sorting a set of demands by size of demand. A set of assignments between demands belonging to the set of demands and supplies at multiple sources is generated. The set of assignments is generated by, for the demands in ascending order of the size of demand, identifying from among the multiple sources a set of sources having sufficient supply to fill the demand, choosing one source from the set of sources from which to fill the demand, and assigning the demand to be filled from one or more supplies of the one source to form an assignment for the demand in the set of assignments. Supplies are allocated to the demands belonging to the set of demands in accordance with the set of assignments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventor: Randall B. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20220261729
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with minimizing (unfulfilled orders) due to short supply in an order fulfillment context are described. One embodiment includes: Identifying one or more distributions within a timeframe. For each of the distributions, identifying a set of maximal excess configurations of met and unmet demands from a set of all demands for the product during the distribution. Creating a current output set of configurations. Assigning supply units for at least one configuration of a final output set for a final distribution within the timeframe. Transmitting an instruction to fulfill demands in accordance with the assignments of supply units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Randall B. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11354611
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with minimizing (unfulfilled orders) due to short supply in an order fulfillment context are described. One embodiment includes: Identifying one or more Distributions within a timeframe. For each of the Distributions, identifying a set of maximal excess configurations of met and unmet demands from a set of all demands for the product during the Distribution. Creating a current output set of configurations. Assigning supply units for at least one configuration of a final output set for a final Distribution within the timeframe. Transmitting an instruction to fulfill demands in accordance with the assignments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210182755
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments for sorting-based assignment to optimize order fulfillment with short supply. One embodiment includes identifying a set of one or more distributions within a series of days. Sorting all demands of a first priority level occurring in the series of days by ascending order of size of the demand. For each demand of the first priority level in sorted order, (a) selecting an initial distribution during which the demand is scheduled to be fulfilled from the set of distributions, and (b) generating an indication that the demand can cannot be completely fulfilled, based on the size of the demand and the amount of supply available. Automatically arranging a graphical representation of a schedule of supplies and met and unmet demands for the series of days in a graphical user interface based at least on the indications generated for each demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Jing LONG, Randall B. SMITH, Alan P. WOOD
  • Publication number: 20210182754
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with minimizing (unfulfilled orders) due to short supply in an order fulfillment context are described. One embodiment includes: Identifying one or more Distributions within a timeframe. For each of the Distributions, identifying a set of maximal excess configurations of met and unmet demands from a set of all demands for the product during the Distribution. Creating a current output set of configurations. Assigning supply units for at least one configuration of a final output set for a final Distribution within the timeframe. Transmitting an instruction to fulfill demands in accordance with the assignments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventor: Randall B. SMITH
  • Patent number: 8850345
    Abstract: In a method for interacting with a system that includes physical devices that are interfaced with computer software, a graphical representation of a physical device that can be graphically interconnected with a graphical representation of a software module is generated. The graphical representation of the physical device is capable of being represented as either a graphical copy mode representation or a graphical ghost mode representation. On-screen interaction with functionality of the physical device is enabled when the graphical representation of the physical device is in the graphical copy mode representation. A true physical state of the physical device is tracked when the graphical representation of the physical device is in the graphical ghost mode representation. The tracking of the true physical state of the physical device disables on-screen interaction with functionality of the physical device. A dual-mode graphical user interface element for interfacing with a physical device also is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Smith
  • Patent number: 8787593
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a target device including a first input device configured to provide a first input to the target device, a second input device configured to provide a second input to the target device, and a control mixer configured to generate an output using a policy, the first input and the second input, wherein the output comprises a feedback and a target device output, wherein the feedback comprises some function of the state of the target device, the policy, and the state of each input device connected to the control mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Smith, John C. Tang, Glenn C. Scott
  • Patent number: 8659546
    Abstract: A method for transferring digital content, involving defining a first region of space associated with a first device and a second region of space associated with a second device, wherein the first device includes digital content to be transferred to the second device, performing a first action within the first region, obtaining the digital content to be transferred from the first device in response to performing the first action to obtain captured digital content, performing a second action within the second region, and transferring the captured digital content to the second device in response to performing the second action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Smith, Robert F. Tow
  • Publication number: 20120144073
    Abstract: A method for transferring digital content, involving defining a first region of space associated with a first device and a second region of space associated with a second device, wherein the first device includes digital content to be transferred to the second device, performing a first action within the first region, obtaining the digital content to be transferred from the first device in response to performing the first action to obtain captured digital content, performing a second action within the second region, and transferring the captured digital content to the second device in response to performing the second action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Smith, Robert F. Tow
  • Patent number: 7949705
    Abstract: A method for viewing a desktop on a first client involves initiating a first desktop session and a second desktop session, populating a first virtual frame buffer (VFB) using the first desktop session, populating a second VFB using the second desktop session, storing an extended virtual frame buffer (EVFB) using the first VFB and the second VFB, and selecting a first portion of the EVFB to view on the desktop using a first VFB scout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Smith, Kristen A. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 7761906
    Abstract: A method, involving placing code on a first device, wherein the code is associated with a code position, accessing properties associated with a second device, wherein the second device is detected by the first device, and transferring the code to the second device, if criteria based on a current position and properties of the second device, and the code position are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Nolan, Robert F. Tow, Randall B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7710429
    Abstract: A system and method for stationary semantic zooming. Stationary semantic zooming allows selected non-spatial rendering attributes, such as level of detail, to be varied according to other specified non-spatial rendering attributes. Stationary semantic zooming allows low importance objects to be rendered with a lower level of detail than higher importance objects. A system and method for displaying network status and realty information using stationary semantic zooming are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7561694
    Abstract: A wireless system includes at least one network computing system, a proxy server, a controller, and wireless devices. When a wireless device is already a member of a first group but moves into range of a second group, that device may initiate a request to join the second group, thereby ensuring that the wireless device can send and receive information through the second group. The proxy server maintains a list of authorized wireless devices and their primary controller, thereby routing information from one or more network computing systems to the proper controller, so that the wireless device may receive information from one of those network computing systems as necessary. When the wireless device becomes joined to a new controller, the proxy updates its list, thus ensuring continuity between the wireless device and the one or more network computing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Samita Chakrabarti, Gabriel E. Montenegro, Randall B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7538670
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a plurality of objects, involving configuring a sensor for a first object of the plurality of objects, wherein the sensor monitors an environment of the first object, attaching the sensor to the first object, associating each of the plurality of objects together using a pre-defined stimulus to obtain an associated set of objects, and communicating a notification message when a change in activity of the environment of the first object is detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Smith, Robert F. Tow
  • Patent number: 7321307
    Abstract: A method for modifying an object involves determining a modification rate for the object, creating a first reservoir and a first wicking channel based on the modification rate, where the first reservoir and the first wicking channel are on the object and the first wicking channel is operatively connected to the first reservoir, and filling the first reservoir with a chemical for modifying the object, wherein an amount of chemical in the first reservoir is determined based on the modification rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Tow, Randall B. Smith, Glenn Carter Scott, Roger C. Meike
  • Patent number: 7109998
    Abstract: A system and method for stationary semantic zooming. Stationary semantic zooming allows selected non-spatial rendering attributes, such as level of detail, to be varied according to other specified non-spatial rendering attributes. Stationary semantic zooming allows low importance objects to be rendered with a lower level of detail than higher importance objects. A system and method for displaying network status and realty information using stationary semantic zooming are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040205191
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates initiating a communication session with a computing device. The system operates by first detecting the presence of the computing device through a first communication channel, and then initiating a communication session between the computing device and a server through the second communication channel. Next, the system transfers the state of an existing communication session between the server and a client to the computing device through the second communication channel, so that the computing device can take over the existing communication session with the server in place of the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Randall B. Smith, Kristen A. McIntyre, Amit Goyal, Jean-Paul Rene Wagner
  • Publication number: 20040113787
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to determine the position of an object. During operation, the system receives signals from an array of RFID tags at an RFID tag reader, wherein a mask of known size and shape is interposed between the array of RFID tags and the RFID tag reader, thereby obscuring signals from a subset of the RFID tags. Next, the system determines the position of the object by analyzing the pattern of obscured RFID tags, wherein the analysis is based on a known spatial relationship between the object, the mask and the array of RFID tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Randall B. Smith
  • Patent number: 6750769
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to determine the position of an object. During operation, the system receives signals from an array of RFID tags at an RFID tag reader, wherein a mask of known size and shape is interposed between the array of RFID tags and the RFID tag reader, thereby obscuring signals from a subset of the RFID tags. Next, the system determines the position of the object by analyzing the pattern of obscured RFID tags, wherein the analysis is based on a known spatial relationship between the object, the mask and the array of RFID tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Smith