Patents by Inventor Sara Vaught

Sara Vaught 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: 12175422
    Abstract: Examples provides on-hand inventory accuracy using radio frequency identification (RFID) tag data and expected populations of items for a plurality of sub-locations within a scan area. The system calculates a dynamic expected population of items value for each sub-location using item level data and modular display data for an item assortment assigned to a modular display within each sub-location. If the items detected by the RFID tag data match the expected population of items with a minimum confidence level, the system provides user feedback in the form of status indicators and/or accuracy indicators on a user interface. The feedback can also include audio feedback. If a discrepancy is detected, the system requests a rescan of each sub-location having a detected discrepancy. The system disallows update of on-hand inventory data using the RFID tag data if the discrepancy remains unresolved after the second scan and/or requests a manual verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Sara Vaught, Hoang-Anh Au, Christopher Ryan Heeney, Marc Fletter, Jeffrey S. Cruz, Ryan Sands Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20220318731
    Abstract: Examples provides on-hand inventory accuracy using radio frequency identification (RFID) tag data and expected populations of items for a plurality of sub-locations within a scan area. The system calculates a dynamic expected population of items value for each sub-location using item level data and modular display data for an item assortment assigned to a modular display within each sub-location. If the items detected by the RFID tag data match the expected population of items with a minimum confidence level, the system provides user feedback in the form of status indicators and/or accuracy indicators on a user interface. The feedback can also include audio feedback. If a discrepancy is detected, the system requests a rescan of each sub-location having a detected discrepancy. The system disallows update of on-hand inventory data using the RFID tag data if the discrepancy remains unresolved after the second scan and/or requests a manual verification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Sara Vaught, Hoang-Anh Au, Christopher Ryan Heeney, Marc Fletter, Jeffrey S. Cruz, Ryan Sands Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20220318732
    Abstract: Examples provide a system for managing inventory updates based on MD data using product in-scope and out-of-scope rules (PISOS). The PISOS system adjusts on-hand inventory count values for an item upward based on item scan data if the scan data identifies a higher number of instances of a given item than is recorded in on-hand inventory. The PISOS system does not permit adjusting on-hand inventory downward based on the scan data indicating fewer instances of the given item within an item display area than is recorded in on-hand inventory unless a set of PISOS rules indicate the given item is in-scope for downward adjustments. If the item is out-of-scope, no downward adjustments to on-hand inventory are made based on the number of items detected during the scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Sara Vaught, Jeffrey S. Cruz, Donald Busse, Mike Graen, Abiy Hailemichael
  • Publication number: 20220318733
    Abstract: A system and method for radiofrequency identification (RFID) driven stocking priority determination. The method includes associating a first plurality of items with a first set of containers, analyzing first item data associated with the first plurality of items associated with the first set of containers and second item data for a second plurality of items associated with a second container, calculating a plurality of priorities for the first set of containers based on the analyzed first item data, the analyzed second item data, and a set of prioritization rules, assigning the plurality of priorities to the first set of containers, and transmitting the plurality of priorities to a user interface device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Cruz, Sara Vaught, Ryan Sands Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20220318529
    Abstract: A system and method for error correction using radiofrequency identification (RFID) signals. The method includes analyzing one or more signal properties of received RFID tag data obtained from location tag(s) associated with one or more predetermined locations and item tag(s) associated with one or more items in the scan zone. The current location of the items is calculated based on the analyzed signal properties, such as, but not limited to, signal strength. If an item is located in the correct location, the assigned location of the item is verified. If the current location of the item differs from an expected location, the item location data for that item is updated with the current location of the item in a data store. Error correction data is generated, which can include updating the item location and/or providing instructions to move the item from the item's current location to the assigned item location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Sara Vaught, Jeffrey S. Cruz