Patents by Inventor William Ross Allen
William Ross Allen 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: 11138641Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine readable media are provided for location-based time-limited services. In exemplary embodiments, one or more beacons are disposed within a facility to define a geo-fenced zone. A dynamic notification module implemented in a server receives a notification that a client device is within the geo-fenced zone and determines that the device meets designated criteria based on the device interacting with the beacons at a designated time. The dynamic notification module transmits a first message to the device that includes item information associated with the geo-fenced zone, receives a response to the first message at a subsequent time and in response transmits instructions to the device to execute a time-limited service. Subsequently, the dynamic notification module transmits a second message to the device including information for a complementary item and a dynamic sale price for the complementary item.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Richard Montgomery Blair, II, William Ross Allen, Shaun Mcrae Smith
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Patent number: 10783476Abstract: Examples provide a system for customizing remote interactions-related real-time assistance for trainees during training exercises. The system analyzes a first set of actions taken by a trainee during a first interaction using a set of recommended action criteria to generate an interaction score indicating a degree of conformity with recommended action criteria. The system analyzes a second set of actions taken by the trainee during a different second interaction. If the second set of actions are conforming or the interaction score is within an acceptable threshold range, the system continues to monitor the second interaction without providing assistance. If the second set of actions are non-conforming and the interaction score is within an unacceptable threshold range, the system provides real-time interaction assistance to the trainee, such as by outputting interaction recommendation instructions and/or assigning a more experience user to assist the trainee.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: William Ross Allen, Jimmie Clark, Richard Montgomery Blair, II
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Patent number: 10748196Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for visually verifying the exact item a customer will be receiving through the online grocery pick up of a retail store. The system allows for customers to order a fresh item, such as apples, and view images of the exact fresh item online before finalizing purchase for retail store pickup. The exact fresh item is scanned using three dimensional scanning. The customer views the images and approves or rejects the exact fresh item before finalizing purchase.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLCInventors: Shawn Branham, William Ross Allen, Richard M. Blair, II
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Patent number: 10723554Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for an intake and transport system. A computing system can identify a physical object based on an attribute associated with the physical object. The computing system can determine a storage location of the physical object in the facility based on the attribute. In response identification of the physical object computing system can transmit an identifier to an autonomously controlled cart. The identifier corresponds to at least one of the attribute or the storage location. In response to receipt of the identifier activating an autonomously controlled cart can generate an indicator to indicate that the physical object is to be placed in the autonomously controlled cart. The autonomously controlled cart can autonomously navigate to the storage location in response to determining that the threshold capacity has been satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: William Ross Allen, Richard Montgomery Blair, II, Thomas L. Harper
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Patent number: 10628862Abstract: A system and method for providing shoppers with product freshness notifications, comprise a beacon that determines that a fresh perishable item of interest has been added to a store shelf; an updater that updates the system with information about the fresh perishable item added to the store shelf; and a notification generator that sends a notification to a mobile electronic device of the shopper regarding the addition of the fresh perishable item to the store shelf.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLCInventors: William Ross Allen, Jacob Tucker, Richard M. Blair, II
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Patent number: 10600024Abstract: A system and method is provided for autonomous monitoring of items by smart peg devices. On occurrence of a predetermined event, a smart peg device analyzes sensor data received from a set of sensors associated with a set of items. The set of sensors includes a weight sensor and/or a proximity sensor. The smart peg device determines a status of the smart peg device based on the analyzed sensor data and a set of criteria. The status may include a number of items associated with the given peg, a weight of the item(s), and/or a location of item(s) associated with the given peg. The smart peg controller determines whether to send a notification based on the status. If a notification is needed, the smart peg device outputs the notification to a remote computing device. The notification may include the determined status and/or a recommended corrective action.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Shaun M. Smith, William Ross Allen, Richard M. Blair, II
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Patent number: 10532334Abstract: Described in detail herein is an automated paint mixing system. The paint mixing system includes a mobile device which can receive an input associated with a color of a paint. The mobile device can transmit the input associated with a color to a first computing system. The first computing system can receive the input associated with a color. The first computing system retrieve an identifier associated with the color based on the input. The first computing system can transmit the identifier associated with the color to a second computing system. The second computing system can instruct a paint dispenser to mix and generate a specified amount of paint of the requested color based on the received identifier. The second computing system can instruct a 3-D printer to fabricate a three-dimensional container configured to store the generated paint. The paint dispenser can deposit the generated paint in the three-dimensional container.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Richard Montgomery Blair, II, William Ross Allen, Christopher Soames Johnson
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Patent number: 10515338Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for reading machine readable features of objects. A local terminal generates a temporary object number corresponding to an unreadable object and captures an image of the unreadable object. A message is sent to a number of portable devices requesting that a duplicate of the unreadable object be located and that a machine readable feature on the duplicate object be read. Once a duplicate object is located, one of the portable devices reads a machine readable feature on the duplicate object, and the portable device calls a service offered by a server to retrieve a data value corresponding to the duplicate item from a database. This data value is then sent to the local terminal invoking a service offered by the terminal to replace the temporary object number with the data value corresponding to the duplicate item.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Jimmie Russell Clark, Christopher Soames Johnson, William Ross Allen
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Publication number: 20190333013Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for reading machine readable features of objects. A local terminal generates a temporary object number corresponding to an unreadable object and captures an image of the unreadable object. A message is sent to a number of portable devices requesting that a duplicate of the unreadable object be located and that a machine readable feature on the duplicate object be read. Once a duplicate object is located, one of the portable devices reads a machine readable feature on the duplicate object, and the portable device calls a service offered by a server to retrieve a data value corresponding to the duplicate item from a database. This data value is then sent to the local terminal invoking a service offered by the terminal to replace the temporary object number with the data value corresponding to the duplicate item.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Jimmie Russell Clark, Christopher Soames Johnson, William Ross Allen
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Publication number: 20190237083Abstract: Examples provide a system for customizing remote interactions-related real-time assistance for trainees during training exercises. The system analyzes a first set of actions taken by a trainee during a first interaction using a set of recommended action criteria to generate an interaction score indicating a degree of conformity with recommended action criteria. The system analyzes a second set of actions taken by the trainee during a different second interaction. If the second set of actions are conforming or the interaction score is within an acceptable threshold range, the system continues to monitor the second interaction without providing assistance. If the second set of actions are non-conforming and the interaction score is within an unacceptable threshold range, the system provides real-time interaction assistance to the trainee, such as by outputting interaction recommendation instructions and/or assigning a more experience user to assist the trainee.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: William Ross Allen, Jimmie Clark, Richard Montgomery Blair, II
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Publication number: 20190236222Abstract: Examples provide a system and method for augmented apparel design. Sensor data generated by a set of sensor devices attached to at least one moveable member of a mannequin in a selected configuration is analyzes to generate motion data. The motion data is analyzed with design data associate with a garment design to generate an augmented reality (AR) overlay including an AR image of an item of clothing conforming to the garment design. The AR overlay is superimposed over a real-world image of a portion of the mannequin to generate an AR display of the item of clothing on the mannequin. As one or more design elements are altered and/or member(s) of the mannequin move, an AR generator updates the design overlay to reflect predicted changes to the garment in response to the changes. The system outputs response data identifying fabric stress points and/or recommended design changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: William Ross Allen, Oscar Cantu, Richard Montgomery Blair, II
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Patent number: 10354223Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for reading machine readable features of objects. A local terminal generates a temporary object number corresponding to an unreadable object and captures an image of the unreadable object. A message is sent to a number of portable devices requesting that a duplicate of the unreadable object be located and that a machine readable feature on the duplicate object be read. Once a duplicate object is located, one of the portable devices reads a machine readable feature on the duplicate object, and the portable device calls a service offered by a server to retrieve a data value corresponding to the duplicate item from a database. This data value is then sent to the local terminal invoking a service offered by the terminal to replace the temporary object number with the data value corresponding to the duplicate item.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Jimmie Russell Clark, Christopher Soames Johnson, William Ross Allen
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Publication number: 20190138980Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for reading machine readable features of objects. A local terminal generates a temporary object number corresponding to an unreadable object and captures an image of the unreadable object. A message is sent to a number of portable devices requesting that a duplicate of the unreadable object be located and that a machine readable feature on the duplicate object be read. Once a duplicate object is located, one of the portable devices reads a machine readable feature on the duplicate object, and the portable device calls a service offered by a server to retrieve a data value corresponding to the duplicate item from a database. This data value is then sent to the local terminal invoking a service offered by the terminal to replace the temporary object number with the data value corresponding to the duplicate item.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Jimmie Russell Clark, Christopher Soames Johnson, William Ross Allen
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Publication number: 20190102788Abstract: A perishable product conservation system and related methods for foods and consumable products. One system includes a plurality of perishable products, a perishable product database, and a computing system. The perishable product database includes a plurality of product records for the plurality of perishable products. Each of the plurality of product records includes expiration date information and a current product location. The computing system is communicatively coupled with the perishable product database and includes a customer preference engine, a markdown engine, and a computing device. The customer preference engine is configured to identify a desired perishable product, a desired location for receiving purchases, and a set of customer tolerances for the desired perishable product including a desired expiration date range. The markdown engine is configured to provide dynamic pricing for the desired perishable product, available within the desired expiration date range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Steven Lewis, Nicholaus A. Jones, Matthew Biermann, Richard Montgomery Blair, II, William Ross Allen, Anjana Devi Nallapati
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Patent number: 10204314Abstract: Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for reading machine readable features of objects. A local terminal generates a temporary object number corresponding to an unreadable object and captures an image of the unreadable object. A message is sent to a number of portable devices requesting that a duplicate of the unreadable object be located and that a machine readable feature on the duplicate object be read. Once a duplicate object is located, one of the portable devices reads a machine readable feature on the duplicate object, and the portable device calls a service offered by a server to retrieve a data value corresponding to the duplicate item from a database. This data value is then sent to the local terminal invoking a service offered by the terminal to replace the temporary object number with the data value corresponding to the duplicate item.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Jimmie Russell Clark, Christopher Soames Johnson, William Ross Allen
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Publication number: 20180357686Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine readable media are provided for location-based time-limited services. In exemplary embodiments, one or more beacons are disposed within a facility to define a geo-fenced zone. A dynamic notification module implemented in a server receives a notification that a client device is within the geo-fenced zone and determines that the device meets designated criteria based on the device interacting with the beacons at a designated time. The dynamic notification module transmits a first message to the device that includes item information associated with the geo-fenced zone, receives a response to the first message at a subsequent time and in response transmits instructions to the device to execute a time-limited service. Subsequently, the dynamic notification module transmits a second message to the device including information for a complementary item and a dynamic sale price for the complementary item.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Richard Montgomery Blair, II, William Ross Allen, Shaun Mcrae Smith
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Publication number: 20180336513Abstract: A system and method is provided for autonomous monitoring of items by smart peg devices. On occurrence of a predetermined event, a smart peg device analyzes sensor data received from a set of sensors associated with a set of items. The set of sensors includes a weight sensor and/or a proximity sensor. The smart peg device determines a status of the smart peg device based on the analyzed sensor data and a set of criteria. The status may include a number of items associated with the given peg, a weight of the item(s), and/or a location of item(s) associated with the given peg. The smart peg controller determines whether to send a notification based on the status. If a notification is needed, the smart peg device outputs the notification to a remote computing device. The notification may include the determined status and/or a recommended corrective action.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Shaun M. Smith, William Ross Allen, Richard M. Blair, II
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Publication number: 20180282075Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for an intake and transport system. A computing system can identify a physical object based on an attribute associated with the physical object. The computing system can determine a storage location of the physical object in the facility based on the attribute. In response identification of the physical object computing system can transmit an identifier to an autonomously controlled cart. The identifier corresponds to at least one of the attribute or the storage location. In response to receipt of the identifier activating an autonomously controlled cart can generate an indicator to indicate that the physical object is to be placed in the autonomously controlled cart. The autonomously controlled cart can autonomously navigate to the storage location in response to determining that the threshold capacity has been satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: William Ross Allen, Richard Montgomery Blair, II, Thomas L. Harper
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Publication number: 20180229194Abstract: Described in detail herein is an automated paint mixing system. The paint mixing system includes a mobile device which can receive an input associated with a color of a paint. The mobile device can transmit the input associated with a color to a first computing system. The first computing system can receive the input associated with a color. The first computing system retrieve an identifier associated with the color based on the input. The first computing system can transmit the identifier associated with the color to a second computing system. The second computing system can instruct a paint dispenser to mix and generate a specified amount of paint of the requested color based on the received identifier. The second computing system can instruct a 3-D printer to fabricate a three-dimensional container configured to store the generated paint. The paint dispenser can deposit the generated paint in the three-dimensional container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Richard Montgomery Blair, II, William Ross Allen, Christopher Soames Johnson
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Publication number: 20180096566Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for automating a point of sale within a physical location, such as a merchant or store. The point of sale system may automate a purchase transaction through a series of interactions between the customer's mobile communication device or other computer system and a store's computer network of camera systems, RFID devices and/or sensor devices monitoring product shelves. The store may use a computer system linked to the camera systems of the store to verify the identity of the customer, identify the customer's account with the particular store and verify items selected by the customer. The customer's computer system and the store's computer system may negotiate the sale based on the video data and RFID data to identify the products selected, calculate the total cost and finalize the transaction without performing employee assisted checkout or customer-based self-checkout.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Richard M. Blair, II, Timothy Ryan Young, William Ross Allen