| Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120131139 | PROCESSING DATA FEEDS - Exemplary embodiments allow performance of stream computations on real-time data streams using one or more map operations and/or one or more update operations. A map operation is a stream computation in which stream events in one or more real-time data streams are processed in a real-time manner to generate zero, one or more new stream events. An update operation is a stream computation in which stream events in one or more real-time data streams are processed in a real-time manner to create or update one or more static “slate” data structures that are stored in a durable manner. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131047 | SOCIAL GENOME - Systems and methods are provided for processing a data stream in real time to identify connections between one or more social elements social elements and aggregating and storing the identified connections over a rolling time window. Social elements may be stored as nodes and connection between social elements may be stored as labeled connections between nodes. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120130940 | REAL-TIME ANALYTICS OF STREAMING DATA - Storage media, systems and methods are disclosed herein for analyzing data streams in real time. More particularly, storage media, systems and methods are presented for processing data streams to calculate results for prospective queries. The results may be advantageously computed prior to the formulation of the specific query, for example, based on a pre-established framework of potential query parameters. More particularly, a universe of potential queries may be extrapolated from the pre-established framework of potential query parameters. Results for each of the potential queries may them be tracked in real time. For example, results for each of the potential queries may be continuously updated based on real-time processing of events in a data stream. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120086554 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Use of a Plurality of Different RFID Tag Interrogation Modes - A control circuit that operably couples to an RFID tag reader can cause the latter to automatically utilize more than a single RFID tag interrogation mode. By one approach this can comprise automatically toggling back and forth between at least two different RFID tag interrogation modes. If desired, and by one approach, such a control circuit can facilitate using a first interrogation mode to read RFID tags and then, in response to a first pre-determined condition, automatically switch to using a second interrogation mode that is different from the first interrogation mode. By one approach, this first pre-determined condition can comprise an RFID tag read rate value. By another approach, alone or in combination with the foregoing, this first pre-determined condition can comprise, at least in part, a pre-determined period of time. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086553 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to an RFID Tag Reader Antenna Array - One or more frame components that each comprise 1/Xth of a 360 degree RFID tag reader antenna array can be physically coupled to one another to thereby form a multi-frame component. One or more RFID tag reader antenna mounts can comprise a part of such frame components and can be configured to aim a corresponding RFID tag reader antenna outwardly of the frame component. These teachings also accommodate disposing a plurality of RFID tag reader antenna units within a facility such that these antenna units are disposed higher than an expected location of, say, at least 90% of the RFID tags when the latter are in the facility. By one approach these antenna units can all be disposed at a substantially same height within the facility. These antenna units may, or may not, be visually concealed as desired. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120013441 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Facilitating the Reading of RFID Tags - These teachings generally comprise interrogating a plurality of RFID tags and receiving corresponding responses from various ones of these tags. A corresponding plurality of end user-perceivable indications are then provided to thereby inform an end user of the RFID tag reader with respect to a completeness level of the reading activity. By one approach, this can comprise providing only one such end user-perceivable indication for each of the tags notwithstanding that a given one of the plurality might respond to the interrogation more than once. This can further comprise, if desired, only providing such end user-perceivable indications for responses from those of the plurality of RFID tags that comprise a previously identified RFID tag of interest. These indications can comprise any of an audible sound, a visual alert, and/or a haptic sensation. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013440 | Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Module-Based Scanning of RFID Tags - These teachings comprise accessing an identifier as corresponds to a given module of RFID-tagged items and then using that identifier to filter the RFID tag readings. By one approach, one can obtain this identifier for the module by reading an optical code as corresponds to the given module of items. By another approach, one can obtain this identifier by reading an RFID tag that specifically correlates to the given module of items. By yet another approach, one can obtain this identifier by receiving the identifier as entered by an end user who is participating in the RFID tag reading process. If desired, this identifier can serve to recall corresponding information that can serve, directly or indirectly, as filter criterion to use when processing the RFID tag responses. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20110210195 | Processing Apparatus and Method - A processing apparatus and method includes a housing, including: a motor, and a drive shaft rotatable by a motor about a drive axis, including a drive engagement device movable along the drive axis, a bowl, the drive shaft extending into the bowl when the bowl is secured to the housing in a working position, a bowl lid including a chute, a lid shaft including a lid engagement device axially aligned with the drive shaft when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, and a pusher including a pusher engagement portion for causing the lid engagement device to move the drive engagement device into the refracted position when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, wherein, when the drive engagement device is in the refracted position, the drive shaft is rotatable by the motor. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110022672 | Method and Apparatus for Scalable Transport Processing Fulfillment System - A scalable fulfillment system is presented that supports business processes, manages the transport and processing of business-related messages or documents between a business entity and clients, such as customers, vendors, and business partners, and generally supports business document processing. The system intelligently manages the transportation of files from clients, through processing of files, to generating responses that return to the clients. To accommodate a heterogeneous interfacing and processing with different clients in a central system, a file normalization technique is used that captures a common meta-data format from the numerous heterogeneous file types used by numerous clients. The meta-data files, also referred to as messages, contain links to their associated data files and are processed separately. Once the messages are entered into the system, an intelligent queue scheduler (IQS) is used to schedule the processing of messages across a scalable resource of processing engines based on normalized file meta-data parameters. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110012713 | RFID TAG SENSORS AND METHODS - Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices for use in RFID-based sensors and related methods are described herein. In one implementation, an RFID sensor system includes an RFID device having a near field only RFID tag and a conductive element which functions as a far field antenna. A coupling structure selectively locates the near field only RFID tag and the conductive element in at least a first position and a second position relative to each other; wherein in the first position, the RFID device only operates in a near field, and in the second position, the RFID device operates in both the near field and a far field. The system may also include an RFID reader and controller located within the far field to read the RFID device only when the coupling structure locates the components in the second position. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110006054 | Cooking Apparatus and Method - A cooking apparatus and method of assembling the same includes an outer shell including a base, a heating element positioned inside the outer shell, and a thermally conducting liner removably located inside the outer shell over the heating element. The liner includes an annular flange, and a first integral handle including a first latch. The apparatus and method further includes a lid configured to be placed over the liner, the lid including a sealing ring at an outer edge of the lid, and a top surface, wherein the first latch is configured to contact the top surface of the lid to secure the lid to the annular flange of the liner. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110005398 | Method and System to Produce Gourmet Coffee - Various embodiments are directed to a beverage maker. The beverage maker may include a brew system, an indicator to indicate at least one of a cleaning and a maintenance need of the beverage maker, and a control circuit. The brew system may include a reservoir to receive a liquid, a heater to heat the liquid, an expendable filter structured to filter impurities from the liquid for at least a predetermined number of brew cycles, and a container for receiving a beverage brewed from the filtered liquid. The control circuit may include a processor configured to receive a signal from at least one sensor indicative of an end of a brew cycle, increment a brew cycle counter by one count at the end of each brew cycle, and activate the indicator when a value of the brew cycle counter is equal to the predetermined number of brew cycles. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100230500 | UNIVERSAL RFID TAGS AND MANUFACTURING METHODS - Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, and methods of manufacture are described herein. In one implementation, a RFID device comprises: a near field only RFID tag that does not function as a far field RFID tag and is pre-manufactured; and a conductive element independent from the near field only RFID tag and adapted to function as a far field antenna. The near field only RFID tag is coupled to a first portion of an item; and the conductive element is coupled to a second portion of the item, the first portion and the second portion located such that the near field only RFID tag is coupled in proximity to the conductive element such that the RFID device functions in both a near field and a far field. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100123559 | Apparatus and Method Facilitating Communication Between Components of a Radio Frequency Identification System - Several embodiments provide methods and apparatus to improve communications between an RFID reader and one or more RFID tags. In one implementation, an apparatus comprises a first antenna configured to communicate with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader; a second antenna electrically separate from said first antenna, and configured to communicate with at least one RFID tag; and structure electrically coupling said first and second antennas. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100100556 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING A LINEAR GRID DATABASE WITH DATA ORGANIZATION BY DIMENSION - Systems and methods for retrieving data within a linear grid management system are disclosed. Data having multiple dimensions is associated with physical locations, where a first dimension of the data is associated with a set of nodes and a second dimension of the data is associated with a set of memory storage locations. A received data query can be divided into multiple subqueries or data requests, such that each subquery is directed to a particular node identified by the first dimension of data referenced by the data query. When receiving a subquery, a node generates a unique and efficient parsing process to retrieve data from the memory storage locations identified by the second dimension of data referenced by the data query. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100050176 | PROCESS AUTO-RESTART SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for auto-restarting abnormally terminated processes are disclosed. An auto-restart system can include a parent task control block, a child process, and a shared resource. The parent task control block can spawn the child process. The child process can operate on the shared resource. When the child process finds the shared resource locked, the child process can terminate abnormally. The parent task control block can recognize the abnormal termination of the child process, and can automatically rollback and restart the child process. Accordingly, the child process can be restarted to operate on the shared resource without human intervention. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20090125406 | Method and Apparatus for Automated Shopper Checkout Using Radio Frequency Identification Technology - A method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090072023 | Methods for receiving credit card applications at a fuel dispenser - Credit card applications typically involve the help of a third party to input the necessary data required by a credit card issuing agency. Using the present invention, a customer at a fuel dispenser can complete a credit card application and have it approved or denied in a quick and easy transaction, without the need of assistance from a third party. All required data at the fuel dispenser is entered through a user interface which includes card swipe inputs and numeric inputs through a numeric key pad. The customer does not make any alphabetical inputs on a typical keyboard because fuel dispensers do not have keyboards. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090045955 | RFID THEFT PREVENTION SYSTEM - Systems, apparatuses and methods for deterring product theft and preventing the fraudulent return or exchange of products. Products are associated with a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. Tag readers located at store access points can detect the presence of the RFID tag and can be used to help determine a direction of travel of the RFID tag. When a product is determined to be leaving the store, the transaction history of the product can be accessed, as well as the supply chain history of the product, to confirm the product has been validly purchased and therefore authorized for removal from the store. When a product is determined to be entering a store, the supply chain history and transaction history of the product can be consulted to determine if the product can be validly exchanged or returned. | 02-19-2009 |
