Patents Assigned to United States Postal Service, The
  • Induction unit and label generator
    Patent number: 11244274
    Abstract: Systems described herein for controlling, requesting, and coordinating the creation and generation of labels can be a label broker, providing a centralized location for storing label information created by various entities, and managing the requests for generation of physical labels coming from various sources and entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Peter Klausner, Robert E. Dixon, Jr.
  • Stackable receptacle for the shipment of goods
    Patent number: 11235903
    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: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: James Edward Lee, Sr.
  • Item tracking using a dynamic region of interest
    Patent number: 11238298
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring items in a defined physical area can include a primary camera configured to detect a region of interest within a defined physical area and the coordinates of the region of interest in the defined physical area. A plurality of secondary cameras can positioned throughout a defined physical area. One of the secondary cameras can be selected to capture an image of a region of interest based on the coordinates of the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Todd M. Schimmel
  • Methods and systems for on-demand dynamic vehicle routing
    Patent number: 11238399
    Abstract: Methods and systems for on demand logistics management are disclosed. An on-demand logistics system includes an electronic hardware processor configured to receive an on-demand request, the request indicating an on-demand location for an on-demand transaction, determine locations of a plurality of vehicles on a plurality of delivery routes, determine whether the on-demand location is within a threshold distance of at least one of the plurality of delivery routes based on the vehicle locations and assign the on-demand transaction to a vehicle based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Robert E. Dixon, Ryan Luckay
  • System and method of control of electronic parcel lockers
    Patent number: 11226640
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Nan K. McKenzie, William A. Tartal, Victoria K. Stephen, Michael J. Amato
  • Tow device for automated guided vehicle
    Patent number: 11167606
    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: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Systems and methods for high throughput sorting
    Patent number: 11167319
    Abstract: A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint. The device can also include a base configured to support the at least one shared chute and the first and second sorters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Methods and systems for secure digital credentials
    Patent number: 11159508
    Abstract: Methods and systems for resetting a digital credential within a digital credential based authentication system. The method includes logging a first administrative user into the digital credential system, receiving, from the first administrative user, a first portion of authentication credentials for a first customer, validating, by the first administrative user using the digital credential system, the first portion, logging a second administrative user into the digital credential system, receiving, from the second administrative user, a second portion of authentication credentials for the first customer, receiving the second portion by the second administrative user, validating, by the second administrative user using the digital credential system, the second portion; and resetting the authentication credentials based on the validation of the first portion and second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton C Bonnell, Kelley A Sullivan
  • Methods and systems for a digital trust architecture
    Patent number: 11153086
    Abstract: In some aspects, methods and systems for a digital trust architecture are provided. In some aspects, the architecture includes a user account provisioning process. The provisioning process may make use of in person verifications of some personal information to ensure authenticity of the user information. Once the authenticity of user information is established, an account may be created. The user account may include a user email account, with integrated access to digital certificates linked to the user account. Account creation may also automatically publish the new user's public key in a publicly accessible directory, enabling encrypted email information to be easily sent to the new user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Clayton C Bonnell
  • Mobile device for safe, secure, and accurate delivery of items
    Patent number: 11151824
    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: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Charles P. McLellan, Gabriel Michael Yessin, William Albert Tartal
  • System and method for processing distribution items in a distribution network
    Patent number: 11151805
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing distribution items having unique identifiers affixed thereon. The unique identifiers can include computer readable codes and written alphanumeric strings generated by a user. A system receives the unique identifier and requests payment information from a user, and stores an association between the unique identifier and the payment information, and processes the item according to the payment information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Daniel Mark Bentley, Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey
  • System and method using a database for enhanced user initiated requests of material or information
    Patent number: 11151282
    Abstract: A method of providing material based on a user-initiated request utilizing an electronic database includes receiving search keywords to conduct a search and accessing a first database having previously stored contact information for the particular user in an initial table record. The method includes transforming data in the fields of the record for the particular user in the initial table to generate a record in a sanitized table, accessing a second electronic database having previously stored data structures corresponding to businesses, where each data structure maps selected keyword combinations to corresponding icons, and to particular material corresponding to each keyword combination, and displaying icons associated with search results having corresponding selected keywords near associated result items on an electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Daniel Mark Bentley, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Ryan M. Luckay
  • Receptacle locking device
    Patent number: 11142928
    Abstract: Receptacle locking devices are disclosed. A receptacle locking device having a contact arm and a pivoting feature can be pivoted from a first, unlocked position to a second, locked position, wherein the contact arm prevents opening of the receptacle door when the locking device is in the second, locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: James Edmund Matthews, Joram Shenhar, Terry Martin Gingell, Donald Eugene Irwin, William Albert Tartal
  • Locking system
    Patent number: 11127233
    Abstract: Locking systems and devices and methods for using the systems and devices are provided. A locking system may include a receptacle having a lock and an electronic credential. If the electronic credential is brought into proximity of the receptacle, then a key can be used to open the lock. The electronic credential can be incorporated into a vehicle or into a handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: William Albert Tartal, Gabriel Michael Yessin, Robert E. Dalton, Jr.
  • System and method of coordinating distribution of an item
    Patent number: 11120394
    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: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Mary P. Anderson, James D. Wilson, Angela D. Lawson, Rosemarie Bolha
  • Smart drop box
    Patent number: 11120390
    Abstract: A smart drop box, system, and method for providing item deposit verification. A smart drop box includes an item receptacle, a processor in communication with the item receptacle, and a user interface in communication with the processor. The item receptacle is configured to receive an item from a user, determine item information related to the item, and transfer the item to a collection container. The processor is configured to determine payment information based at least in part on the item information. The smart drop box is configured to provide deposit verification based at least in part on at least one of the item information and the payment information. In some embodiments, the deposit verification includes a printed receipt and/or an electronic notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: William Albert Tartal, Gabriel Michael Yessin, Dominique Danielle Strothers, Joram Shenhar, Joel Locknauth Dewnandan, Terry Martin Gingell, James Edmund Matthews
  • Localized data affinity system and hybrid method
    Patent number: 11113316
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for processing records is disclosed. In some aspects, a method includes associating, on at least one of the plurality of processors, each record with a record set of a plurality of record sets. Each record set is assigned to a sub-database based on the record set. A cache is associated with each sub-database, and each sub-database and its associated cache is associated with a processor set. An affinity is created between each database cache and the associated processor set, and records are processed with the processor sets according to the associations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: C. Scot Atkins, Joseph Conway
  • System and method for generating and implementing a household customer database
    Patent number: 11113658
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and implementing a household customer database are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for processing items comprises receiving a first item to be delivered and identifying data corresponding to one or more of a source information and destination information of the first item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Naomi Miller
  • System and method for electronic manifesting in a distribution network
    Patent number: 11113750
    Abstract: System and method for providing electronic manifesting access for users of a distribution network. A distribution network may provide a user access point, such as by providing application programming interfaces. The access point may provide access the item tracking module upon receipt of valid credentials, such as a user's unique identifier. The access point may receive item information, generate an electronic manifest including the item information and the unique identifier, and allow for tracking the items on the electronic manifest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Robert E. Dixon, Kelley A. Sullivan
  • Rigid tray container and method of use
    Patent number: 11104481
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure include a rigid tray container and methods and equipment for using the rigid tray container in batched process operations. In one embodiment, a mass container is sized and dimensioned to receive one or several rigid tray containers. In other embodiments, equipment is configured to lid/unlid, secure, stack, load/unload, and buffer rigid tray containers. In other embodiments, equipment is configured to stack and stage mass containers. In some embodiments, methods are provided for batch processing items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Donald R. Close