Inventory Patents (Class 235/385)
  • Patent number: 10482413
    Abstract: A client-side data transfer tool may be used to encrypt customer data and store the encrypted data onto a shippable data storage device. The shippable storage device is provided to the client by a remote storage service provider for importing the customer data into the service provider. The data transfer tool receives client-keys from the service provider, separate from the shippable storage device. The data transfer tool generates keys to encrypt the customer data. The data transfer tool then uses the client-keys received from the service provider to encrypt the tool-generated keys. The encrypted data and the encrypted tool-generated keys are transferred onto the shippable storage device. Data transfer techniques may take into account characteristics of the data source and the data destination. For multiple shippable storage devices, data transfer may occur in parallel. The shippable storage device is then shipped back to the service provider, which imports the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Paterra, Firat Basarir
  • Patent number: 10475326
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting interaction between monitored individuals and unmonitored individuals is provided. The method includes at each monitored individual: identifying a short range wireless access point that is proximate to the monitored individual; first determining the location of the monitored individual when the identified short range wireless access point was detected; and uploading, from the monitored individual to a central monitoring location, data corresponding to the identified short range wireless access point and the location of the monitored individual when the short range wireless access point was detected. The method include at the central monitoring location: second determining whether: (a) the identified short range wireless access point is a mobile wireless access point; and (b) two or more of the monitored individuals encountered the identified short range wireless access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SATELLITE TRACKING OF PEOPLE LLC
    Inventor: David W. LeJeune, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10466713
    Abstract: Some embodiments efficiently locate and map item locations in a distribution site using robots and a set of markers that the robots can scan without cessation of movement. Some embodiments optimally position a robot for item retrieval or placement. The optimal position is determined by affine transform computation or feature mapping. The robot first aligns itself according to the expected item position as indicated by one or more of the markers. The alignment is determined based on size and orientation of the markers in images obtained using the robot's camera. The robot then aligns itself according to the actual item position. Here, the repositioning is determined based on size and orientation of the actual item in images obtained using the robot's camera. Using the robot cameras and feature mapping, robots can traverse the shelves to identify and map item location therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: inVia Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lior Elazary, Randolph Charles Voorhies, Daniel Frank Parks, II
  • Patent number: 10469989
    Abstract: A tracking system can provide intervention notifications to a user to notify the user that a tracking device is potentially lost or is in a predicted state. The tracking system may notify the user that a tracking device is potentially lost or in a predicted state based on a number of factors, including: a proximity of a tracking device to other tracking devices or a user's mobile device, a movement of a tracking device to more than a threshold distance away from a mobile device or other tracking devices, a location of a tracking device relative to a geographic location or to geographic boundaries, a usage or movement behavior of the tracking device, a usage or movement behavior of a user or owner of a tracking device, information received from an external source, or information received from sensors within the tracking device or a user's mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Tile, Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme de Barros Chapiewski, Melody Quintana, Mayank Kumar, Tyler Lettau, Wayne Patterson
  • Patent number: 10449907
    Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment includes a support structure, power contacts, and a hanging storage module such as a file folder supported on the support structure and electrically coupled to the power contacts. The module includes a storage pocket, support arms supporting the pocket and configured to be supported on the support structure, and electrical conductors coupled to the contacts. The module further includes a tab comprising a light source and a user input sensor, wherein the light source illuminates storage the module when the user input sensor detects a user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Holmes Dunham, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10452959
    Abstract: Various systems, methods and non-transitory computer-readable media are described, which may involve performing operations comprising: receiving, with an object detector, a first image from a first positional angle comprising a first perspective of a scene, receiving, with the object detector, a second image from a second, different positional angle comprising a second perspective of the scene, and performing, with the object detector, object detection on the first image from the first perspective and on the second image from the second perspective by cross-referencing data related to the first image and the second image within the object detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Synapse Tehnology Corporation
    Inventors: Simanta Gautam, Brian Shimanuki, Bruno Brasil Ferrari Faviero, Brian Xie
  • Patent number: 10452875
    Abstract: A system and method for linking a medical device with a smart device is provided. The system includes a medical device, a smart device, a package encasing the medical device and an RFID device integrated into the packaging and associated with the medical device. The method for linking the medical device to a smart device includes removing the medical device from the packaging and applying it to a person, presenting the RFID device to the smart device, reading the RFID device with the smart device and using information obtained from the RFID device to establish communications between the smart device and the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Ian J. Forster, Michael G. Ginn
  • Patent number: 10445690
    Abstract: Techniques related to presentation of re-stocking maps are disclosed. The techniques involve accessing using a search engine module, from at least one database, map data relating to a layout of a retail facility, product data identifying products for sale at the retail facility, location data defining a location of products for sale at the retail facility, and inventory data providing an inventory level of the products for sale at the retail facility. A processor makes a determination about which products require re-stocking based on the inventory level. A map of the layout of the retail facility is then generated for presentation on a display of a computing device. The map indicates the location of the products requiring re-stocking with respect to the layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Pellow, Emily Poplawski, Stephen Aase
  • Patent number: 10438084
    Abstract: An apparatus of this invention is directed to an information processing apparatus that effectively counts, on a type basis, articles of a plurality of types displayed in a depth direction on a display shelf. The information processing apparatus includes a display count acquirer that acquires display count information of articles using article presence/absence sensors provided on the display shelf on which the articles are placed, an article identifier that acquires article identification information capable of identifying the types of articles based on an image acquired by capturing the display shelf, and a display recognizer that recognizes, based on the display count information and the article identification information, display count of each type of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nomura, Kota Iwamoto, Kyota Higa, Keishi Ohashi, Wataru Hattori
  • Patent number: 10438034
    Abstract: A space efficient automated processing system for processing objects is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Victoria Hinchey, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 10430754
    Abstract: Parts in a manufacturing or service facility are electronically tracked using wireless beacons and location tags, strategically positioned receiver devices in the facility, and a monitoring server. The wireless beacons and location tags are individually coupled to parts in the facility to be tracked and store beacon-, tag-, and part-specific identifiers that can be wirelessly communicated to the monitoring server through receiver devices or mobile devices of workers in the facility. In particular, the location tags transmit various identifiers when the mobile devices or wireless beacons are brought into close proximity to the location tags. The mobile devices allow workers to request on-demand and up-to-date work orders for the parts with location tags, and the wireless beacons communicate the location tags' identifiers to the monitoring server. The monitoring server uses the identifiers to track the locations of the parts and manage electronic work orders for the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: WEIR GROUP IP LIMITED
    Inventor: Andrew Amann
  • Patent number: 10423866
    Abstract: A method for managing a data center that includes racks arranged in aisles, includes guiding an operator, by a mobile terminal, to a desired device of a rack. The guiding step includes: indicating, on a screen of the mobile terminal, a route to follow to arrive near the device; once the operator is near the device, reading, by a reading application of the mobile terminal, an electronic marker pattern placed on a first rack facing the operator to determine if the operator is facing the rack including the desired device; if not, repeating the reading operation on the rack directly adjacent to the first rack; once the rack is identified, reading, by the reading application of the mobile terminal, an optical marker pattern placed on the rack so as to obtain a height reference and thus locate the desired device; and acting upon the desired device using the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: BULL SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Guionneau, Matthieu Isoard, Xavier Plattard
  • Patent number: 10417849
    Abstract: An integrated security system which seamlessly assimilates with current generation logical security systems. The integrated security system incorporates a security controller having standard network interface capabilities including IEEE 802.x and takes advantage of the convenience and security offered by smart cards and related devices for both physical and logical security purposes. The invention is based on standard remote authentication dial-in service (RADIUS) protocols or TCP/IP using SSL, TLS, PCT or IPsec and stores a shared secret required by the secure communication protocols in a secure access module coupled to the security controller. The security controller is intended to be a networked client or embedded intelligent device controlled remotely by to an authentication server. In another embodiment of the invention one or more life cycle management transactions are performed with the secure access module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventors: Dominique Louis Joseph Fedronic, Wu Wen
  • Patent number: 10417626
    Abstract: A contactless payment device including a wireless communication device; a power source; a processor coupled to the power source; an accelerometer communicatively coupled to the processor and the power source; and an actuator communicatively coupled to the wireless communication device and the processor. The actuator is configured to activate the wireless communication device when the actuator is set in a closed state, and deactivate the wireless communication device when the actuator is set in an open state. The processor is configured to receive an incoming signal from the accelerometer; determine whether the incoming signal corresponds to a pre-programmed signal corresponding to an enabling gesture; and set the actuator in the closed state for a time interval, when the incoming signal corresponds to the enabling gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Locke, Adam R. Koeppel
  • Patent number: 10417854
    Abstract: The system and method providing enhanced security ballot image records of the present invention includes an enhanced security ballot image tabulator and an enhanced security ballot image audit station. The tabulator processes each ballot of a plurality of ballots to be tabulated to provide an enhanced security ballot image record having diachronically and synchronically coordinated enhanced security ballot image files. The enhanced security ballot image record may be broadcast upon completion of tabulation and/or simulcast real time during tabulation or otherwise provided to the public or other parties interested in the tabulation of cast votes. The enhanced security audit station receives the enhanced security ballot image record and analyzes it to selectively identify out-of-bounds diachronic and/or synchronic security parameters. Any identified ballots may then be reviewed by election officials or other interested parties for validity and authentication purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: James McNeel Keller
  • Patent number: 10404682
    Abstract: A system and method for determining presence information for mobile devices (104) are disclosed. Specifically, the presence information for a mobile device (104) can be determined based on whether or not the mobile device (104) is having a unique interaction with a smart tag (108). If a unique interaction is detected, then the mobile device (104) can be said to be within the presence of the smart tag (108) and the location or presence information for the mobile device (104) can be correlated to location information known for the smart tag (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventors: Philip Hoyer, Mark Robinton
  • Patent number: 10402605
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically changing displayed content of a first tag. The methods comprising: detecting when an individual is in proximity to the first tag or when an item, to which the first tag is coupled, is being handled by the individual; identifying at least one first accessory for the item or at least one first related product that can be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to the item; obtaining information for the identified at least one first accessory or related product that is to be presented to the individual; and dynamically changing the displayed content of the first tag to include the obtained information while the individual is still in proximity to the first tag or handling the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Melwyn F. Sequeira, Hubert A. Patterson, Mohammad Mohiuddin
  • Patent number: 10395231
    Abstract: A method, system and/or device for validating encoded information, the validation device including a memory having computer readable instructions stored thereon and a database including a plurality of validation rules, and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to receive formatted data from at least one formatting device, extract attributes associated with encoded information from the formatted data, the extracted attributes including at least one of a formatting device identifier, a store identifier, value information from the encoded information, and time information, validate the formatted data based on the extracted attributes and the plurality of validation rules, store the results of the validation and at least a subset of the extracted attributes in the database, generate modified formatted data compatible with a POS terminal based on the results of the validation, and transmit the modified formatted data to the at least one of formatting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Michael Fitzsimmons, William M. Houston
  • Patent number: 10394856
    Abstract: The present innovation provides a method of establishing a connection between two individuals using an interpersonal spacetime interaction system, including enabling a first user to specify a spacetime event and to provide annotations for the spacetime event, maintaining a spacetime database comprising data objects, each data object corresponding to a spacetime event, querying a spacetime database, using a query that includes at least a specification of a desired spacetime event, said query being initiated by a second user, retrieving information from those data objects in the spacetime database whose corresponding spacetime events are proximate to the desired spacetime event, and providing the retrieved information to the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventor: Dimitris Achlioptas
  • Patent number: 10397051
    Abstract: A system or device may implement configuration and testing of network-based service platform resources using a service platform specific language. A configuration file may describe one or more resources of a network-based service platform to be configured, as well as one or more tests to be performed. The configuration file may be described in a service platform specific language for the network-based service platform. When received, the configuration file may be interpreted according to the service platform specific language to identify configuration information for the resources and execution instructions for performing the tests. Requests may be generated and sent to the network-based service platform to configure and provision the resources according to the identified information. Results of the tests may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Featonby, Andrew Flower, Gina Louise Morris, Francois Norman Daniels, John Michael Morkel, Neil Andrew Eriksson
  • Patent number: 10389980
    Abstract: One embodiment of a camera system is provided with a camera device serving as an image capturing unit; a communication unit configured to transmit image information captured by the camera device to an external device; and a display terminal configured to display image information captured by the camera device, the display terminal being configured to display at least either of image information captured by the camera device according to prescribed conditions and image information captured according to user instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Izawa, Kazuhiro Furuta, Yuuki Marutani, Kota Watanabe, Yuki Takahashi, Ryo Kawada
  • Patent number: 10387830
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include at least one medical device having a device transceiver configured to wirelessly broadcast a device signal including at least unique identifier data and an information system is configured to maintain an active list of medical device inventory associated with a particular emergency response vehicle, and the processor is configured to automatically determine presence of the at least one medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Robert Johnson, Gary A. Freeman, Ulrich Herken
  • Patent number: 10380539
    Abstract: A inventory information system having an inventory station having an array of unique locations defined thereon; a plurality of indicators, each of the indicators being associated with each of the locations; a plurality of tags, each of the tags having an identifier associated therewith; at least one detector operable to obtain identifier associated with one of the tags when the tag is positioned at one of the locations; and a processor operatively coupled to the at least one detector and the plurality of indicators. The processor is configured to receive the identifier and to determine an inventory status of at least one product associated with the identifier, and operate the indicator associated the location where the tag based upon the inventory status to provide information about the inventory status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: LOGI D INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Assouline, Anders Larsson, Richard Philippe, Jean-Philippe Racette
  • Patent number: 10382536
    Abstract: A device management apparatus is configured by execution of one or more programs to (i) acquire, from an external apparatus, a status-change information record for a status change that has occurred in a status-changed device, and (ii) determine whether or not the acquired status-change information record is a status-change information record for a managed device managed by the device management apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Narita
  • Patent number: 10380858
    Abstract: A method of determining a revised position of a tag, comprising the steps of determining a first parameter associated with the tag based on a first set of data from a first sensor, determining a second parameter associated with an object based on a second set of data from a second sensor, determining whether the first parameter corresponds to the second parameter, and if the first parameter corresponds to the second parameter, determining the revised position of the tag based on the second set of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Konstantin Markaryan
  • Patent number: 10373462
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic system for use with an item container/carrier, such as a suitcase, briefcase, backpack, car trunk, purse, wallet, storage compartment, storage facility, locker, or similar. The system is used with item containers/carriers that contain portable items which can be identified by electronic, optical, or similar means. For example, the portable items may be outfitted with portable item reporting devices (BIRDS) which provide item monitoring and signaling; or the portable items may be identified via RFID tags. The system includes a sensor to identify portable items in the container/carrier via their BIRD signals, RFID signatures, or optical signature. The system includes memory to store identifications of portable items. The system can store one or more lists of specified portable items which are expected to be present within the containers/carriers, possibly with different lists being applicable in different contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ImagiStar LLC
    Inventor: Steven Charles Oppenheimer
  • Patent number: 10366259
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a reading device is configured to read information from an RFID tag attached to a product. The reading device includes a housing, an antenna, an opening-and-closing lid, a detector, a reading unit, and an alert unit. The housing includes an opening portion, and therein a space for accommodating the product. The antenna is provided within the space. The opening-and-closing lid is opening and closing the opening portion. The detector is configured to detect an open or closed state of the opening-and-closing lid. The reading unit is configured to read the information from the RFID tag. The alert unit is configured to issue an alert on an operation method in accordance with the open or closed state of the opening-and-closing lid and an operation state of the reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignees: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Suzuki, Dai Namiki, Takahiro Tambara
  • Patent number: 10362275
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an image capturing system is configured so that a device for capturing images is communicable with an external device through a communication unit. The image capturing system is provided with an operating unit configured to make settings pertaining to image capturing, an image capturing device serving as the device for capturing images and being configured to produce image data by periodically capturing images based on the settings made to the operating unit and a display unit configured to produce a display output based on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota Watanabe, Hirokazu Izawa, Kazuhiro Furuta, Yuuki Marutani
  • Patent number: 10346800
    Abstract: Mapping boxes in a storage bay is provided, which includes: ascertaining storage bay boundaries; wirelessly reading, using a mobile device, identifying information from tags associated with the boxes, each box having one or more associated tags, and the identifying information including size information for the associated box; determining position of the tags in the storage bay by triangulating tag locations relative to, in part, one or more locations of the mobile device; and creating, by a processor, a mapping of boxes in the storage bay using the tag positions and the identifying information wirelessly read from the tags. In one or more implementations, the tags are near-field communication (NFC) tags associated with the boxes, and the creating may include automatically reorienting a floating box in the mapping of boxes, as well as automatically repositioning a box when boxes overlap each other, or overlap an edge of the storage bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Budy D. Notohardjono, Arkadiy O. Tsfasman, John S. Werner
  • Patent number: 10346795
    Abstract: Items associated with radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) tags sequentially arranged in a list are to be retrieved from a venue. A mobile RFID tag reader is jointly movable with an operator. The reader is controlled to non-sequentially read the tags from the list. The operator is guided to find any one of the items by reading the tag associated with the any one item. The operator is prompted to retrieve the any one item and to remove the associated tag from the list. The guiding operation to the any one item is discontinued after retrieval of the one item. The guiding operation, the prompting operation, and the discontinuing operation are repeated for any others of the items from the list in a non-ordered sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy B. Austin, Mary Jo Serrino, Susan Flake
  • Patent number: 10339656
    Abstract: Images of a fixture such as a shelf holding items may be acquired by cameras and processed to count the quantity of items at the fixture. A top of an item is determined in the image. Given information about the items designated for stowage at the fixture and the location of the top, a three-dimensional (3D) bounding box indicative of a volume is determined relative to the fixture. Bounding boxes which extend outside the boundaries of the fixture are disregarded. Remaining bounding boxes may then be analyzed to determine a measured height of the item(s) in a stack. The measured height may be divided by a per-item height to determine a quantity of items in the stack. The quantities in multiple stacks may be summed to determine a quantity at the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Vuong Van Le, Joseph Patrick Tighe
  • Patent number: 10335834
    Abstract: A waste storage device and corresponding waste sorting method. The waste storage device may include compartments for storing waste; an acquisition unit that acquires at least one characteristic of a piece of waste that is to be stored in the waste storage device; a processor unit that obtains data identifying the waste from the characteristic; a communications unit that sends the identifying data to a remote server and that receives data in response; and an advice supply unit that delivers sorting advice to a user. The sorting advice may come from the data that was received in response and it may identify at least one of the compartments of the waste storage device into which the piece of waste should be stored or placed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: UZER
    Inventor: Clément Castelli
  • Patent number: 10339476
    Abstract: A method for automatically allocating floor space includes obtaining: (i) fixture data, (ii) business rule data, and (iii) benefit data. The method further includes searching a plurality of arrangements of the plurality of categories of products on the plurality of merchandizing fixtures according to the obtained data and determining an allocation solution. The allocation solution specifies a combination of the plurality of categories of products, an identification of ones of the plurality of merchandizing fixtures allocated to each of the combination of the plurality of categories of products, and an amount of the ones of the plurality of merchandizing fixtures allocated to each of the combination of the plurality of categories of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: WALGREEN CO.
    Inventors: John M. Bergstrom, David Pisinger
  • Patent number: 10334411
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting doorway tailgating are disclosed. A method includes: determining, by a computer device, a mobile device moves through a doorway to a secure area; determining, by the computer device, a security protocol was not passed for the mobile device to move through the doorway; and generating, by the computer device, an alert based on both the determining the mobile device moves through the doorway to the secure area and the determining the security protocol was not passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael R. Billau, John K. Gerken, III, Jeremy A. Greenberger, Ciaran E. Hannigan
  • Patent number: 10321686
    Abstract: A dry urine-based scent lure is provided for hunting. The lure includes an absorbent member impregnated with liquid urine, and then freeze dried to remove moisture from the host member. The urine maybe a blended mixture from different animals so as to have desired properties. The urine is concentrated and then infused into the absorbent material, which is then flash frozen, followed by freeze drying. The resulting dry scent lure is packaged so as to seal out humidity, and produce a lure with unlimited shelf life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventors: Samuel C. Collora, Judith C. Collora
  • Patent number: 10321972
    Abstract: A device for simultaneously identifying a plurality of surgical instruments or instrument groups includes a first detecting device having a first detection technology for detecting instruments and, if applicable, related instrument-specific information. The device also includes a second detecting device having a second different detection technology for detecting instruments and instrument information. Moreover, the device includes a comparing device for comparing the detection results of the two detecting devices. The comparing device outputs a positive evaluation regarding the correctness of the detected instruments if the two detection results are matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Markus Weinert, Nicola Giordano, Pedro Morales, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Patent number: 10318772
    Abstract: Motor control center components are tagged and monitored to produce accurate information on the location and identification of the components in closed and sealed motor control center bays, sections, and enclosures. Wireless polling signals may allow for locating the tagged components, and the tags may store or access component-identifying data and, where desired, condition data for the component or its environment in the motor control center. The data may be collected wirelessly and made available to local or remote monitoring equipment, controllers, workstations, human machine interfaces, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin C. Steinweg, Scott D. Day
  • Patent number: 10311270
    Abstract: A method for filtering scanned objects displayed on a reader is provided. The reader may scan one or more transponders, and obtain, from a database, an image for each scanned transponder. Each transponder may be associated with an object (e.g., an item of retail inventory). The obtained image for each object may be presented on an interface, and a selection of an object category may be received using the obtained images. A determination may be made as to which objects are associated with the selected object category. A display screen may display data associated with only the objects associated with the selected object category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Vargas, Tom Plocher, Sriharsha Putrevu, Ynjiun Wang
  • Patent number: 10306435
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided having a smart communication device having a processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about sensed data from a multiplicity of data collectors each associated with a respective piece of equipment and configured to collect the sensed data related to the respective piece of equipment when the smart communication device is moved within a predefined proximity to automatically connect with each data collector to receive the signaling during movement of the smart communication device on a programmed route having multiple pieces of equipment; and determine corresponding signaling containing information about prioritized sensed data related to each of the multiplicity of data collectors for operating an app in the processor, based upon the signaling received. The smart communication device includes an iPad, a smart phone, a laptop or a subsystem of a vehicle/robot. The apparatus may include the vehicle/robot having the subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Neil Loychik, James Reitano, Naveen George, Bradley C. Decook, Jeffrey Sullivan, Daniel L. Kernan, Ken Hauenstein, David Rayle
  • Patent number: 10296916
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments described herein relate to the field of electronic registration (ER) of purchased products and, more particularly, to improved electronic registration techniques purchase-side and/or return-side handling of recalled items. Certain exemplary embodiments on the purchase-side may help to filter-out products that have recalled been before they are purchased. Certain exemplary embodiments on the return-side may help enable recall return overrides, thus facilitating the acceptance of recalled products even though they might not qualify under an original return/warranty policy. Advantageously, more and more recalled products may be filtered out of circulation through the use of purchase-side and/or return-side recall watch list checking techniques of certain exemplary embodiments. Such purchase-side and/or return-side recall watch list checking may be performed together with or separate from electronic registration techniques in different exemplary embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventors: Maridee Joy Maraz, Peter J. Junger
  • Patent number: 10291796
    Abstract: A document processing system uses a label on a document that includes a machine-readable portion that identifies a document, a first defined region corresponding to a system-defined function, and a second defined region corresponding to a user-defined function. When a user hand-writes a mark in the first defined region of the label, when the document is scanned, the mark is detected, and the system-defined function corresponding to the first defined function is performed for the document. When a user hand-writes a mark in the second defined region of the label, when the document is scanned, the mark is detected, and the user-defined function corresponding to the second defined region is performed for the document. The hand-written mark can include a character, with multiple system-defined functions corresponding to different characters in the first defined region, and multiple user-defined functions corresponding to different characters in the second defined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: DocSolid LLC
    Inventors: Steven W. Irons, David R. Guilbault, Eric R. Lynn
  • Patent number: 10282739
    Abstract: An online gaming system for valuing new virtual items introduced into an online game. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The system may include a virtual shop module configured to present offers to sell instances of probability item bundles including a first offer to sell instances of a first probability item bundle that includes a first primary item and a first set of secondary items for a price, and a second offer to sell instances of a second probability item bundle that includes a second primary item and a second set of secondary items for the same price. The system may include a price determination module configured to determine a value for the second primary virtual item based on comparative sales of the first probability item bundle and the second probability item bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Schultz, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 10276013
    Abstract: A data sensing and threat detection network comprising a plurality of wireless sensor devices and their related wireless sub-sensor devices, for communication, with wireless detector units/gateways in a network arrangement to allow transmission of data there between in optimized paths, such wireless detector units to communicate, by secure means, to and front a Central Monitoring Unit that manages the sensing and client alert processes, based upon wireless sensor values/conditions and wireless sub-sensor values/conditions as they relate to pre-determined values/conditions, and sensor device location co-ordinates data (derived from GPS or CTS, or the like) as it relates to pre-determined “location differential values”, data “timeframe-based rate of change” as it relates to pre-determined “rate of change differentials” in a pre-determined timeframe or part thereof, and the like, with the Central Monitoring Unit enabling related devices and alerting clients, and confirming that such related devices have been ena
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Douglas Lundy
  • Patent number: 10271408
    Abstract: A remote control device for controlling lighting systems includes a sensor configured to determine a location of the remote control device in relation to the lighting systems. A controller is configured to determine a nearest light source of the lighting systems relative to the location of the remote control device and to control this nearest light source. The controller is configured to change a configuration of the remote control device in response to changing its location. A transceiver transmit a signal to multiple light sources which measure the strength and/or time of flight of this signal for use in determining the location of the remote control device. The light sources provide the remote control device with identifying information unique to each one of them including their locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Engel Johannes Knibbe
  • Patent number: 10262484
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable media for wireless key management for authentication. Authentication includes transmitting a request to a locking device, transmitting a security challenge to the mobile device, and transmitting a response to the challenge and an encrypted user profile for the locking device. The response includes data generated with an access key that is stored by both the mobile device and the locking device, and the user profile is encrypted by a server using a secret key that is stored by the server and the locking device. Authentication further includes verifying the response to the challenge, where the response is verified using the access key, and validating additional data from the mobile device. An action of the locking device may be initiated as specified by the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Conrad, Yi Zhang, Nemanja Stefanovic, John Bartucci, Scott Kalous
  • Patent number: 10262113
    Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring progress of delivery of a patient-specific medication are disclosed. A patient/medication identification (ID) device is provided on a package containing the medication, the patient/medication ID device comprising medication/patient information indicative of the medication and the patient. At least one location ID device is provided at a location, the at least one location ID device comprising a unique location ID associated with the location. The medication/patient information and the patient/medication ID are read. Delivery progress information indicative of a last-known read location where at least one of the medication/patient ID information and the unique location identifier was read is generated. The delivery progress information is stored in a database. The delivery progress information is accessed from the database in response to the request. A delivery status of the medication is indicated to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Utech, Cynthia Yamaga
  • Patent number: 10262296
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided to manage inventory. The method includes: obtaining, by a processor, a signal of decodable indicia; decoding, by the processor, the signal of decodable indicia to access decoded data, where the decoded data includes information identifying an object, where the object includes a plurality of items. Based on the information identifying the object, the processor obtains, from a memory, a visual representation of a portion of the object. The visual representation is divided into a plurality of regions and each region represents an item of the plurality of items. The processor displays the visual representation on a client and obtains a designation of at least one of the plurality of regions. Based on obtaining the designation the processor generates an order request for an item represented by the at least one of the plurality of regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: RAM HEALTHCARE GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. McCullough, Thomas W. Higginbotham, James Robert Camire, Thomas Edward Hennel
  • Patent number: 10254847
    Abstract: Described is a system and technique for providing the ability for a user to interact with one or more devices by performing gestures that mimic real-world physical analogies. More specifically, the techniques described herein provide the ability for a user to interact with a device by limiting the conscious gesturing for a computer component by camouflaging computer-recognizable gestures within manipulations of a physical objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Alejandro Jose Kauffmann, Christian Plagemann
  • Patent number: 10251170
    Abstract: There is provided a management server including a holding unit for holding a location/frequency list in which location information and frequency information are associated, a list creation unit for creating an available frequency list by extracting, from the location/frequency list, frequency information corresponding to location information received from a base station, and a list transmission unit for transmitting the available frequency list created by the list creation unit to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Tsuda
  • Patent number: 10248112
    Abstract: A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container. And a control system. The control system is configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Tompkins International
    Inventors: Jianqiang Zhu, Juejing Xu, John C. Spain, Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Richard C. Kaminska, III, Selden W. McKnight, Jr.