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).
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Patent number: 11979967Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Patent number: 11950349Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Publication number: 20240095695Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
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Patent number: 11829967Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C.Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
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Publication number: 20230368156Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
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Patent number: 11694168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C.Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
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Publication number: 20230075787Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
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Patent number: 11436577Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C.Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
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Patent number: 11301824Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: The Clearing House Payments Company LLCInventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steve H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
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Patent number: 11042882Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY, L.L.C.Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
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Publication number: 20210073750Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
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Publication number: 20200311696Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
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Patent number: 10685337Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY L.L.C.Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steve H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
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Patent number: 10643190Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY L.L.C.Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
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Patent number: 10636018Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: THE CLEARING HOUSE PAYMENTS COMPANY L.L.C.Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steve H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
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Publication number: 20190340590Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Peter Davey, Stephen Ledford
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Publication number: 20190043052Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Stephen Ledford, Irfan Ahmad
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Publication number: 20180012201Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
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Publication number: 20180012199Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood
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Publication number: 20180012200Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: John P. Dunn, Stephen Ledford, Steven H. Jackson, Albert G. Wood