Patents by Inventor Stephen Ledford

Stephen Ledford 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: 11979967
    Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
  • Patent number: 11950349
    Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
  • Publication number: 20240095695
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program for conducting a real-time payment settlement transaction. The method receiving a request for endpoint data, and, in response to receiving the request, determining whether one or more directories, among a plurality of directories, can provide the endpoint data requested in the request. The method also includes identifying at least one directory, among the directories determined to be able to provide the endpoint data requested in the request, as a selection for providing the endpoint data, and obtaining the endpoint data from the at least one directory identified in the identifying. In one example embodiment, the endpoint data includes an account number of a payee account and a routing number of a payee entity. A payment message or a request for payment message can be routed using the obtained endpoint data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
  • Patent number: 11829967
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program for conducting a real-time payment settlement transaction. The method receiving a request for endpoint data, and, in response to receiving the request, determining whether one or more directories, among a plurality of directories, can provide the endpoint data requested in the request. The method also includes identifying at least one directory, among the directories determined to be able to provide the endpoint data requested in the request, as a selection for providing the endpoint data, and obtaining the endpoint data from the at least one directory identified in the identifying. In one example embodiment, the endpoint data includes an account number of a payee account and a routing number of a payee entity. A payment message or a request for payment message can be routed using the obtained endpoint data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C.
    Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
  • Publication number: 20230368156
    Abstract: Tracking account positions in a real-time payments system is provided. Each of a plurality of participants is linked to a funding agent account via an ACH network, thereby creating a plurality of linked participants. Each of the plurality of linked participants is provided access to a current prefunded position of the funding agent through the ACH network. An unsettled financial position of each of the plurality of participants is compared to the current prefunded position of the funding agent. A determination is made whether to perform a financial settlement for a corresponding one of the plurality of participants based on the comparison. The financial settlement for the corresponding participant is performed when it is determined that the unsettled financial position of the corresponding participant is not greater than the current prefunded position of the funding agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
  • Patent number: 11694168
    Abstract: Tracking account positions in a real-time payments system is provided. Each of a plurality of participants is linked to a funding agent account via an ACH network, thereby creating a plurality of linked participants. Each of the plurality of linked participants is provided access to a current prefunded position of the funding agent through the ACH network. An unsettled financial position of each of the plurality of participants is compared to the current prefunded position of the funding agent. A determination is made whether to perform a financial settlement for a corresponding one of the plurality of participants based on the comparison. The financial settlement for the corresponding participant is performed when it is determined that the unsettled financial position of the corresponding participant is not greater than the current prefunded position of the funding agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20230075787
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program for conducting a real-time payment settlement transaction. The method receiving a request for endpoint data, and, in response to receiving the request, determining whether one or more directories, among a plurality of directories, can provide the endpoint data requested in the request. The method also includes identifying at least one directory, among the directories determined to be able to provide the endpoint data requested in the request, as a selection for providing the endpoint data, and obtaining the endpoint data from the at least one directory identified in the identifying. In one example embodiment, the endpoint data includes an account number of a payee account and a routing number of a payee entity. A payment message or a request for payment message can be routed using the obtained endpoint data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
  • Patent number: 11436577
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program for conducting a real-time payment settlement transaction. The method receiving a request for endpoint data, and, in response to receiving the request, determining whether one or more directories, among a plurality of directories, can provide the endpoint data requested in the request. The method also includes identifying at least one directory, among the directories determined to be able to provide the endpoint data requested in the request, as a selection for providing the endpoint data, and obtaining the endpoint data from the at least one directory identified in the identifying. In one example embodiment, the endpoint data includes an account number of a payee account and a routing number of a payee entity. A payment message or a request for payment message can be routed using the obtained endpoint data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C.
    Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
  • Patent number: 11301824
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Clearing House Payments Company LLC
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steve H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
  • Patent number: 11042882
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program for conducting a real-time payment transaction. The method includes receiving a request for payment from a creditor financial institution (FI), and forwarding it to a debtor (FI). A payment transaction message is received from the debtor financial institution, specifying an amount of payment requested in the request, and is forwarded to the creditor FI such that the amount of payment is credited to an account in real-time. The debtor FI can request a return of the payment, in which case the creditor FI can comply therewith or refuse to return the payment. Also, an unsettled financial position of the debtor FI can be settled where that position does not exceed a combination of a pre-funded balance in a settlement account and a net debit cap value, and multiple settlements can be performed depending on a relationship between the position and combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20210073750
    Abstract: Tracking account positions in a real-time payments system is provided. Each of a plurality of participants is linked to a funding agent account via an ACH network, thereby creating a plurality of linked participants. Each of the plurality of linked participants is provided access to a current prefunded position of the funding agent through the ACH network. An unsettled financial position of each of the plurality of participants is compared to the current prefunded position of the funding agent. A determination is made whether to perform a financial settlement for a corresponding one of the plurality of participants based on the comparison. The financial settlement for the corresponding participant is performed when it is determined that the unsettled financial position of the corresponding participant is not greater than the current prefunded position of the funding agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20200311696
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
  • Patent number: 10685337
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY L.L.C.
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steve H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
  • Patent number: 10643190
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY L.L.C.
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
  • Patent number: 10636018
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY L.L.C.
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steve H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
  • Publication number: 20190340590
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program for conducting a real-time payment settlement transaction. The method receiving a request for endpoint data, and, in response to receiving the request, determining whether one or more directories, among a plurality of directories, can provide the endpoint data requested in the request. The method also includes identifying at least one directory, among the directories determined to be able to provide the endpoint data requested in the request, as a selection for providing the endpoint data, and obtaining the endpoint data from the at least one directory identified in the identifying. In one example embodiment, the endpoint data includes an account number of a payee account and a routing number of a payee entity. A payment message or a request for payment message can be routed using the obtained endpoint data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
  • Publication number: 20190043052
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program for conducting a real-time payment transaction. The method includes receiving a request for payment from a creditor financial institution (FI), and forwarding it to a debtor (FI). A payment transaction message is received from the debtor financial institution, specifying an amount of payment requested in the request, and is forwarded to the creditor FI such that the amount of payment is credited to an account in real-time. The debtor FI can request a return of the payment, in which case the creditor FI can comply therewith or refuse the return the payment. Also, an unsettled financial position of the debtor FI can be settled where that position does not exceed a combination of a pre-funded balance in a settlement account and a net debit cap value, and multiple settlements can be performed depending on a relationship between the position and combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20180012201
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180012199
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180012200
    Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood