US 11037093

Here's a concise summary of US patent 11037093:

US Patent 11037093: Actively Managed Food Delivery

• Title: Actively managed food delivery
• Assignee: Zest Labs Inc
• Inventors: Peter A. Mehring, Thomas C. Reese, Dean M. Kawaguchi, Sameer Dekate, Russell Shikami
• Filing Date: March 21, 2019
• Issue Date: June 15, 2021
• Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a food delivery process involves receiving food product history for various food types in multiple containers, where products have different destinations. Each history includes expiration date, storage time, storage conditions, and temperature history. This data is used to determine a prioritized delivery scheme for the containers, which is then sent to an individual transporting the products and/or a dispatcher.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Computer-Implemented Method): This claim describes a method for managing food delivery using a computer. It involves:

  1. Receiving historical data (e.g., expiration date, storage time/conditions, temperature) for each food product in multiple delivery containers, where products are going to different places. Each food product also has a profile detailing its ideal handling conditions, which can change over time.
  2. Calculating a "freshness metric" for each food product, considering its history and whether its container maintained the preferred conditions.
  3. Determining how long each food product can still be delivered (a "delivery time window").
  4. Potentially allowing for longer delivery distances for some food products based on their determined delivery time window.
  5. Receiving updated historical data for the food products.
  6. Using this updated history and the delivery time windows to create a prioritized delivery schedule.
  7. Sending this schedule to the driver or a dispatcher.
  8. Crucially, the system prioritizes food products that are less fresh (have a lower freshness metric) to be delivered before fresher items.
  9. Any food products falling below a specific freshness threshold are removed from being available for delivery.

• Claim 8 (Computer Program Product): This claim covers a computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The software code within this product is designed to perform all the steps outlined in Independent Claim 1.

• Claim 15 (System): This claim describes a system that includes a processor and associated logic (hardware and/or software). This logic is configured to enable the processor to carry out all the steps detailed in Independent Claim 1.

USPTO and CAFC Dockets Search:

• USPTO Database: A search of the USPTO database confirms the patent number US11037093B2 and the details provided above, including its "Active" legal status.
• CAFC 2026 Dockets: As of April 26, 2026, there is no record of patent US11037093 appearing in the CAFC (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) dockets for the year 2026. This indicates no known appeals or related litigation directly involving this patent number in that court for the specified year.

No uncertainty found; all information is consistent.