Patents Assigned to Federal Express Corporation
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Patent number: 10815030Abstract: A cargo pallet is disclosed. The cargo pallet may have a pallet base. The cargo pallet may also have a pallet liner. The pallet liner may have a pallet liner base. The pallet liner base may be positioned on the pallet base. The pallet liner may also have a pallet extension, which may be fixedly attached to the pallet liner base. The pallet extension may project outwardly from the pallet liner base. The pallet extension may also have a support surface that may at least in part extend outwardly beyond a footprint of the pallet base.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: David M. Lee, Frank J. LeRose
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Publication number: 20200327497Abstract: A shipment delivery system includes equipment units for delivering shipments from an origin to a destination, and a processor that executes instructions stored in a storage medium to perform operations. The operations include receiving information associated with a configuration of a baseline line haul network for transporting shipments between the origin and the destination, including scheduled paths between the origin and the destination. The operations include receiving a constraint associated with modifying the baseline line haul network. The operations also include determining an alternate path different, including an adhoc route between the origin and the destination. The operations include determining an objective function and generating an optimized line haul network based on the determined objective function and the at least one constraint. The system dispatches an equipment unit for transporting the shipments from the origin to the destination based on the optimized line haul network.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Saeed Zamiri MARVIZADEH, George RICHARDSON, Bala VAIDYANATHAN
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Patent number: 10799175Abstract: There is provided a research framework system. For example, in some implementations there is provided a sleep prediction system for pilots including a first data structure storing collected research data related to pilot sleep patterns, a second data structure storing data related to a flight schedule associated with a pilot, and a sleep prediction module configured to access the data stored in the first and second data structures and calculate, by one or more processors using the data stored in the first data structure, a likelihood that the pilot associated with the flight schedule stored in the second data structure is sleeping at a given time.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventor: Suresh Rangan
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Patent number: 10679172Abstract: An inspection drone exclusively paired to a delivery vehicle identifies targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the vehicle. A sensor on the drone detects inspection information relative to targeted inspection points once the drone has aerially moved proximate to each targeted inspection point. The drone automatically identifies a potential adverse inspection condition for a targeted inspection point based upon the inspection information. The drone responsively transmits an interactive intervention request to a display-enabled transceiver, where the request identifies the potential adverse inspection condition, indicates a need for a verified inspection of that targeted inspection point, and requests feedback regarding that targeted inspection point.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 10664791Abstract: A drone-based monitored storage system includes a shipment storage with an interior storage area and a drone storage area, an internal docking station, and an internal monitor drone disposed within the shipment storage that aerially monitors the items being shipped within the interior storage area. The monitor drone includes an airframe, battery, onboard controller, lifting engines and lifting rotors responsive to flight control input, communication interface, sensor array that gathers sensory information as the drone moves within the interior shipment storage area of the shipment storage, and a drone capture interface that can selectively mate to the internal docking station to hold the monitor drone in a secure position. The monitor drone can gather the sensory information (such as environment information, image information, multidimensional mapping information, and scanned symbol information) and autonomously detect conditions of items being shipped based upon the sensory information from the sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 10657485Abstract: Drone-based systems and methods for conducting a modified inspection of a delivery vehicle are described. A system has a delivery vehicle transceiver and an inspection drone paired to the vehicle that aerially inspects the vehicle. The delivery vehicle transceiver has a user interface and a wireless radio, while the paired inspection drone has a housing, onboard controller, memory storage, lifting engines, and a communication interface. The drone's onboard controller is operative to identify different existing delivery vehicle inspection points from an inspection profile record; receive an inspection update message from the communication interface; update the existing delivery vehicle inspection points with additional inspection points to yield a targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle; and conduct the modified inspection of the delivery vehicle by gathering the detected sensor-based inspection information related to each of the targeted inspection points.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Patent number: 10647443Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving data related to a first flight risk factor and a second flight risk factor where the first and second risk factors include one of: a proficiency risk factor, an equipment risk factor, an environmental risk factor, or a performance risk factor. Applying a first weighting to the first flight risk factor to generate a first weighted flight risk factor, and applying a second weighting to the second flight risk factor to generate a second weighted flight risk factor. Assessing a flight risk level for a flight based on the first weighted flight risk factor and the second weighted flight risk factor, Providing data indicating the assessed flight risk level for the flight for display to a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: Suresh Rangan, James L. Bowman, Robert E. Fisher
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Patent number: 10636312Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving aircraft transponder signals. Identifying, from among the aircraft transponder signals, a first aircraft transponders signal based on an identifier, wherein the identifier indicates that the first aircraft transponder signal is associated with an aircraft on which the computing system is located. Identifying first location data within the first aircraft transponder signal. Generating second location data by converting the first location data to a format recognizable by a geographic mapping application, where the second location data is readable by the geographic mapping application to permit the geographic mapping application to present a graphical representation of a geographical location of the aircraft as represented by the first location data. Providing the second location data to the geographic mapping application for presentation to a user.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: Robert Anthony Donhoffner, Bennett Michael Wetherald, Danny Jay Reed
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Patent number: 10625107Abstract: A method for supplying fire suppressing agent to the interior of a container for an extended duration includes detecting sensor signals indicative of a temperature associated with a container, determining via a controller that the fire suppressing agent should be supplied to the interior of the container based at least in part on the sensor signals, and initiating via the controller expulsion of fire suppressing agent from a chamber containing fire suppressing agent. The method may further include puncturing a surface of the container with a puncture mechanism to provide flow communication between the chamber and the interior of the container to permit supply of fire suppressing agent into the interior of the container at a first time, initiating via the controller expulsion of fire suppressing agent from a second chamber containing fire suppressing agent at a second time after the first time, and supplying fire suppressing agent from the second chamber into the interior of the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: James B. Popp, Joseph May
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Publication number: 20200102094Abstract: A modular staircase is disclosed. The modular staircase includes a first staircase section having a plurality of steps and a first support member detachably connected to the first staircase section. Further, the modular staircase includes a second stair module having a second staircase section including a plurality of steps and a second support member detachably connected to the second staircase section and to the first support member. The modular staircase further includes a third stair module having a third staircase section including a plurality of steps and a retractable third support member detachably connected to the third staircase section and to the second support member. The third support member may be configured to raise or lower the third staircase section relative to the second staircase section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicant: Federal Express CorporationInventor: Jacob W. SPRINGER
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Publication number: 20200071022Abstract: A cargo pallet is disclosed. The cargo pallet may have a pallet base. The cargo pallet may also have a pallet liner. The pallet liner may have a pallet liner base. The pallet liner base may be positioned on the pallet base. The pallet liner may also have a pallet extension, which may be fixedly attached to the pallet liner base. The pallet extension may project outwardly from the pallet liner base. The pallet extension may also have a support surface that may at least in part extend outwardly beyond a footprint of the pallet base.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: Federal Express CorporationInventors: David M. LEE, Frank J. LeROSE
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Patent number: 10532827Abstract: A modular staircase is disclosed. The modular staircase includes a first staircase section having a plurality of steps and a first support member detachably connected to the first staircase section. Further, the modular staircase includes a second stair module having a second staircase section including a plurality of steps and a second support member detachably connected to the second staircase section and to the first support member. The modular staircase further includes a third stair module having a third staircase section including a plurality of steps and a retractable third support member detachably connected to the third staircase section and to the second support member. The third support member may be configured to raise or lower the third staircase section relative to the second staircase section.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventor: Jacob W. Springer
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Patent number: 10501231Abstract: A cargo pallet is disclosed. The cargo pallet may have a pallet base. The cargo pallet may also have a pallet liner. The pallet liner may have a pallet liner base. The pallet liner base may be positioned on the pallet base. The pallet liner may also have a pallet extension, which may be fixedly attached to the pallet liner base. The pallet extension may project outwardly from the pallet liner base. The pallet extension may also have a support surface that may at least in part extend outwardly beyond a footprint of the pallet base.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventors: David M. Lee, Frank J. LeRose
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Patent number: 10482418Abstract: Paired drone-based systems and methods are described that inspect a delivery vehicle. For example, a system may include a docking station within the vehicle and a sensor-enabled inspection drone paired to the vehicle and that aerially inspects targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, David A. Doyle, Brian D. Popp
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Publication number: 20190305391Abstract: An apparatus may store at least one object including at least one top end and at least one bottom end. The apparatus may include a container configured to store the at least one object and a pouch containing a liquid. The pouch may be configured to substantially cover the at least one top end of the at least one object when stored inside the container. The pouch may be configured to contact the at least one top end of the at least one object and to open when contacted by contents expelled from the at least one object due to thermal runaway.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: Federal Express CorporationInventor: Mark Richard PETZINGER
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Patent number: 10355326Abstract: An apparatus may store at least one object including at least one top end and at least one bottom end. The apparatus may include a container configured to store the at least one object and a pouch containing a liquid. The pouch may be configured to substantially cover the at least one top end of the at least one object when stored inside the container. The pouch may be configured to contact the at least one top end of the at least one object and to open when contacted by contents expelled from the at least one object due to thermal runaway.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventor: Mark Richard Petzinger
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Patent number: 10322862Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a packing-list-pouch comprising a back sheet and a front sheet attached to a pocket, a protective lip sheet attached to cover a top edge of the front sheet, and a removable release liner attached to an exterior surface of the back sheet via an adhesive coating. The packing-list-pouch may include a flap sheet attached to the protective lip sheet and an adhesive strip configured to fasten a bottom portion of the flap sheet to the front sheet to form a resealable closure over an opening of the pocket and the protective lip sheet.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Federal Express CorporationInventor: Yongquan Zhou
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Publication number: 20190055056Abstract: A cargo pallet is disclosed. The cargo pallet may have a pallet base. The cargo pallet may also have a pallet liner. The pallet liner may have a pallet liner base. The pallet liner base may be positioned on the pallet base. The pallet liner may also have a pallet extension, which may be fixedly attached to the pallet liner base. The pallet extension may project outwardly from the pallet liner base. The pallet extension may also have a support surface that may at least in part extend outwardly beyond a footprint of the pallet base.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Applicant: Federal Express CorporationInventors: David M. LEE, Frank J. LeROSE
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Patent number: 10198030Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include wearable devices and methods for performing courier services. In one implementation, the device includes a depth camera for detecting object depths in a field of view, a scanner for decoding visual codes, a speaker for producing audible sounds in response to an electrical signal, memory, and a processor. The processor may execute instructions to detect a scanning event based on a first signal received from the depth camera, determine a scan region associated with the scanning event, provide a second signal to the scanner causing the scanner to decode a visual code located within the scan region, generate scan data based on a third signal received from the scanner, and provide a fourth signal to the speaker causing the speaker to emit a notification sound. The wearable device may also capture signatures, dimension objects, and disable device functions based on time and place restrictions.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATIONInventor: Reuben F. Burch
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Publication number: 20180346149Abstract: A modular staircase is disclosed. The modular staircase includes a first staircase section having a plurality of steps and a first support member detachably connected to the first staircase section. Further, the modular staircase includes a second stair module having a second staircase section including a plurality of steps and a second support member detachably connected to the second staircase section and to the first support member. The modular staircase further includes a third stair module having a third staircase section including a plurality of steps and a retractable third support member detachably connected to the third staircase section and to the second support member. The third support member may be configured to raise or lower the third staircase section relative to the second staircase section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Federal Express CorporationInventor: Jacob W. SPRINGER