Patents

Fluor Technologies Corp. of Irving has received a newly granted for systems that use idle offshore platforms to grow and harvest seaweed. The design repurposes non-producing rigs as ocean farms, with subsea support structures that enable large-scale seaweed cultivation and automated harvesting. The patent was invented by Aditya Hariharan of Katy, along with Houston-based inventors James Shih and Phillip Nguyen. [Composite illustration: Sources, USPTO Patent #12433213, Fig. 1; DI Studio]

Nike has received a newly granted patent for a sole design aimed at boosting forward momentum. Invented by Joseph L. Helseth of Plano, the footwear structure features an arched midsole profile with downwardly extending protrusions under the midfoot and heel to help propel the wearer and reduce strain. [Composite illustration: Sources, USPTO Patent #12402692, Fig. 2; DI Studio]

7-Eleven has received a newly granted patent for a tool that generates digital twins of its stores, emulating the physical layout in real time. The system maps rack positions, shelf layouts, and product placements, then syncs them with in-store cameras to track and manage retail operations. The patent was invented by Ravi Kumar Kurva of Irving, Trong Nghia Nguyen of Dallas, and Joshua E. Berry and Matthew Raymond Magee of Waco, and is assigned to 7-Eleven, Inc. of Irving. [Composite illustration: Sources, USPTO Patent #12380492; DI Studio]

USAA has received a newly granted patent (USPTO #12346421) for a system that uses tattoo detection to verify a person’s identity in video. Invented by Carrollton-based William Daniel Farmer, the method involves a hidden tattoo—made with ink invisible to the human eye—used as a cloaked token. When detected in video footage, the system can authenticate the user and authorize secure access to services or information. [Image souce: USPTO Patent #12346421; DI Studio composite image]