Patents Assigned to United States Postal Service, The
  • Patent number: 11727347
    Abstract: A management system for managing the utilization of item receptacles in a distribution network. Items can be transferred to recipients at a limited number of item receptacles in unit delivery facilities of the distribution network. Item retrieval behavior is tracked to determine a recipient score for known recipients. Based on the recipient scores, subsequent items to be transferred can be placed in a receptacle or a storage area based on the associated recipient score. Placement in receptacles can be prioritized to recipients with low scores indicating that the item will likely be retrieved quickly, while items addressed to recipients with high scores may not be placed into a receptacle if receptacles are scarce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Marc D. McCrery, Donald Eugene Irwin
  • Patent number: 11710092
    Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering an item to a mobile delivery receptacle are disclosed. A method of delivering an item to a mobile delivery receptacle can include receiving from a mobile delivery receptacle a location of the mobile delivery receptacle. Based on a cross-referencing credential, the method can include verifying the location of the mobile delivery receptacle. The method may include identifying a mobile delivery unit and determining a position of the mobile delivery unit. The method can include calculating a delivery route from the position of the mobile delivery unit to the mobile delivery receptacle and passing the location of the delivery resource and the delivery route to the mobile delivery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Patent number: 11708252
    Abstract: Systems and methods for towing, hitching, and connecting devices are described. An autonomous guided vehicle includes an automated hitch capable of connecting to a variety of types of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward F. Houston, Leung Man Shiu, Michael Joseph Goldberg, Mark David Bittenbender, William Patrick McConnell
  • Patent number: 11707953
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 11710360
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for using a mobile device to assist with the efficient and secure delivery of item. The mobile device can assist an item deliver to lock or unlock secure item delivery receptacles. The mobile device can also notify an item deliverer about particular delivery conditions associated with particular delivery endpoints. The mobile device can further help the item deliverer to determine whether or not he or she is delivering the item to the correct location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Charles P. McLellan, Gabriel Michael Yessin, William Albert Tartal
  • Patent number: 11699126
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and implementing an anonymized delivery point processing system are disclosed. Anonymous addresses can be associated with actual physical delivery points. An item having an anonymous address thereon can be sorted and/or routed on item processing equipment based on the associated actual physical delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Gary C. Reblin, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Naomi Miller
  • Patent number: 11699046
    Abstract: Sortable tracking objects that can be associated with item containers and items for tracking and organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Robert Charles Moran, Marlon Guy Wells, Veronica Yvette Hale, Ellis Mitchell Gore
  • Patent number: 11700385
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for secure processing of image data are described. Image data included in image files may be encrypted and compressed in a single step using dynamically identified compression/encryption information such as code word tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Services
    Inventor: Ryan J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 11699125
    Abstract: A system and method for coordinating item delivery is disclosed. The system includes a control hub configured to receive item information, a dynamic routing system configured to provide routing instructions, and a handheld device configured to receive routing instructions. The control hub controls and coordinates receiving and transmitting item information, including pick-up and delivery schedules, and other item information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Mary P. Anderson, James D. Wilson, Angela D. Lawson, Rosemarie Bolha
  • Patent number: 11694148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering items are disclosed. The systems and methods comprise assigning a unique internal control value to each profile having an identified physical address delivery point. They also receive a request for delivery point information for each of a plurality of items to be distributed and providing a response comprising a list of internal control values thereto. They further receive a plurality of items, each item having printed thereon one of the internal control values on the list. For each of the plurality of items, they scan, by item processing equipment, the item to read the internal control value printed thereon, identifying, in the profile database, the physical address delivery point corresponding to the assigned internal control value, routing, by the item processing equipment, the item according to the identified physical address delivery point, and delivering the item to the identified physical address delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Gary C. Reblin, Naomi Miller
  • Patent number: 11667427
    Abstract: Embodiments of a reusable stackable shipping box are provided herein. The reusable stackable shipping box may be reused and cleaned without causing harm to the integrity of the box. In addition, the box is slightly tapered in shape such that the box may be stacked upon and within other boxes for ease in shipping and organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: James Edward Lee, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11639279
    Abstract: An automated system for transferring articles from a container. An item transfer system includes retainers configured to secure a first tray and a second tray, a movable paddle assembly, a frame, and a plurality of actuators. The system is configured to transfer articles from the first tray to the second tray by an automated process including securing the articles within the first tray with the paddle assembly, rotating the frame by approximately 90° to 100°, moving the paddle assembly in a series of linear translations to remove the items from the first tray and place the items into the second tray, rotating the frame back to its initial orientation, and releasing the items into the second tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Wayne Perry-Eaton, George W. Potts, Jr., Daniel Radtke
  • Patent number: 11639854
    Abstract: A method and system for generating a location identification grid and for using a location identification grid. The location identification grid can include a first geographic area that correspond to a pre-existing area. This pre-existing area can correspond to a postal code such as a zip code, a telephone code such as, an area code, or any other desired pre-existing area. The location identification grid can be subdivided into smaller geographic areas to allow more accurate identification of a location. The location identification grid can include a second geographic area. The second geographic area can be a subdivision of the first geographic area. The location identification grid can be used with signals that identify a location within a location identification grid. These signals can include a first component corresponding to the first geographic area and the second component corresponding to one or more second geographic areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton C. Bonnell, Neri G. Terry, Kurt J. Schulz
  • Patent number: 11625666
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for the delivery of physical items using a digital stamp. Various implementations include operations such as receiving a request from a user to deliver an item to a destination using a digital stamp, wherein the item includes destination information and lacks any physical indicator that the delivery fee for the item has been paid or will be paid; receiving a destination address from the user; determining a delivery fee for the item; and generating a digital stamp using the destination address, the delivery fee, and user account information for the user. The operations may also include obtaining an image of the item including the destination information; determining, from the image, that the item lacks any physical indicator regarding the delivery fee; checking for a digital stamp corresponding to the item; and directing the item for delivery to the destination information, if the digital stamp is found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Anthony Cramer Jones, Dominik Heinrich, Caspar Serge Ouvaroff
  • Patent number: 11623482
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Tuyen Thanh Nguyen, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 11625967
    Abstract: Systems and methods to deliver items to smart receptacles or locations secured by smart locks. A distribution network can provide access codes or credentials to access smart locks. Access codes or credentials can be provided when a mobile delivery device is determined to be within a geofence of the delivery point and/or when the mobile delivery device meets specified security criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Robert Sean Hanlon
  • Patent number: 11602773
    Abstract: A system and method for enhanced monitoring and sorting of delivery items, such as packages, which are moved and sorted via a delivery service conveyor device. Conventional systems may employ photocells, which detect interrupted light beams, to identify packages or delivery items along a conveyor path. The present system and method enhances photocell function by adding image detection and analysis to the mail path; and further by modifying the photocell signals to the sorter/conveyor control. The present sensing system is located in the same area on the transport as the photocell, and uses a camera to capture an image of the mail path in the photocell area. The system and method then analyzes a package image to formulate a more accurate item detection signal, based on photocell data and image data, for input to the sorter/conveyor control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: George Coupar, Jeffrey Adin Fox, James Whipple, Gabriel Difurio
  • Patent number: 11602774
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of integrated on-demand labeling of item containers. In particular, this disclosure relates systems and methods for automatically creating and using placards to label, track, and organize item containers and items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Robert Charles Moran, Marlon Guy Wells
  • Patent number: D983477
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventor: William A. Tartal
  • Patent number: D990479
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Dean S. Edmonds, III, David S. Dao, William Carter, II, Daniel J. Widdershoven, David William Cerutti