Patents Assigned to United States Postal Service, The
  • Patent number: 11093949
    Abstract: A method and system for tracking the status of a label. The system can include a memory with a database. The database can include an indicator of the label status. The system can additionally include a processor that operates in accordance with instructions stored in the memory. The processor can receive a request to generate a label, update the first database with an identifier that indicates the existence of the label, receive a signal indicating that a service requested by the label has been provided, and update the identifier in the first database to indicate that the requested service has been provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: John Gullo, Jason Hugo, Shea R. Felix, Mark J. Briganti
  • Patent number: 11087575
    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: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Robert Sean Hanlon
  • Patent number: 11055653
    Abstract: Systems and methods of creating, managing, and distributing supplemental content associated with items in a distribution network. A physical delivery item can be imaged and associated with additional content generated or associated with the sender of the physical delivery item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Carrie Ann Bornitz, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Ryan M. Luckay
  • Patent number: 11042832
    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: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Naomi Miller, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey
  • Patent number: 11037200
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing digital augmented reality content in a distribution network using physical distribution items as triggers for the Augmented reality content. An interface allows a sender of a physical item to provide augmented reality content to a distribution network, and the distribution network can provide the augmented reality content to a recipient of the physical distribution item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventor: Sachin Agarwal
  • Patent number: 11027640
    Abstract: Vehicle shelf systems having indicators thereon for improving loading and delivery efficiency. Items are scanned for loading, and the indicators on the vehicle shelves identify where to place the item based on the sequence of the delivery point along the delivery route. A mobile computing device alerts a delivery carrier when the delivery vehicle is in proximity to a delivery point when an item is to be delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: William Schwartz, Amy Longshore, Erika Thoeny, Sierra Raney, Michael Nagy, Andrew Garcia
  • Patent number: 10991061
    Abstract: A system and method of verifying the identity of a user or registrant. The user or registrant provides identification information and registration information. The identification information may be a visual representation of an identifying item associated with location information. In some embodiments, the identification information may be a visual representation of a government issued identity. An identification module verifies the identification information and compares the verified identification information to the registration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Nan K. McKenzie, William A. Tartal, Victoria K. Stephen, Michael J. Amato, William G. Ackerman, Robert E. Dixon, Daniel W. Smith, Gregory Crabb, Paul Anthony Bernicchi
  • Patent number: 10981737
    Abstract: A system of mitigating force in a mechanical system, the system comprising a frame member, a first rail connected to the frame member, a second rail connected to the frame member and extending along the frame member in parallel to the first rail, an assembly movably engaging the first and second rails, and a first bracket located between the first and second rails, with at least one first bracket attachment secured to the frame member, the first bracket sharing an upper edge with a lower edge of the first rail, such that a downward force applied on the first rail is distributed to the first bracket and the frame member via the at least one first bracket attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Dongliang Yang, Matthew G. Good, Leung M. Shiu
  • Patent number: 10974283
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and sequencing articles in a processing facility are disclosed. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter in stop group order. The second sorter can then sort the items into output bins in delivery sequence order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 10972741
    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: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Ryan J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 10970667
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handling a plurality items by using a sorter to receive items and obtain item information and delivery destinations from the items. A run manifest is generated having an item identifier and a destination for each of the plurality of items. The run manifest data is used in a routing module to generate dynamic routes for delivering the plurality of items, and generating a sequence identifier for each of the plurality of items according to the dynamically generated routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, C. Scot Atkins, James DeForrest Wilson, Scott R. Bombaugh, Carla F. Sherry
  • Patent number: 10967405
    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: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Patent number: 10956688
    Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying wearable tags or other items within a facility. The location of the identifiable item can be calculated by the system and used to improve the efficiency of the facility or to dispatch emergency help or maintenance to the location of the badge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Shahpour Ashaari, David C. Lin, Seth S. Vasa, Scott R. Bombaugh, Mario Andre Salisbury, Thomas Jay Graham, Erich Joseph Petre
  • Patent number: 10956866
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for creating and processing an electronic customs declaration manifest. These methods and systems include creating a image of the customs declaration form, converting the image of the customs declaration form into an electronic customs manifest, and transferring the electronic customs manifest to a database. In addition, a image is may also be forwarded electronically to a remote encoding center, where the customs declaration form data is manually converted into an electronic file for storing in a database. Customs services of both the originating and destination countries review the declared information stored in the database. When the international mailpiece arrives at the border, domestic customs service may find a matching unique identifiers on the international mailpieces and customs declaration forms stored in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Louie F. Pento, Daniel S. Stirewalt, John T. Edgar, Robert L. Otto
  • Patent number: 10949792
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for delivery of items can detect its location and the location of targets on item receptacles in order to position the vehicle at a receptacle. The vehicle, in an autonomous mode, can automatically travel between delivery points along a delivery route. A presence sensor on the vehicle can detect ingress and egress from the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is ready to travel to the next delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Donald E. Crone
  • Patent number: 10946417
    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: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Patent number: 10928208
    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: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton C. Bonnell, Neri G. Terry, Kurt J. Schulz
  • Patent number: 10920470
    Abstract: A lock and method of locking a lockable volume is described. The lock may be located on a door of a lockable volume, such as a locker configured to hold an item. The lock may comprise a post and a cam, the cam having an opening corresponding to the size and shape of the post. The cam is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotation of the cam about the axis releasably secures the post within the opening, thereby locking the door to which the post is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Nan K. McKenzie, William Albert Tartal, Victoria K. Stephen, Michael J. Amato
  • Patent number: D913369
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Karen F. Key, Iwon S. Kaiyuan, Tiffany S. Jesse
  • Patent number: D924675
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Thomas C. Potter, Scott R. Bombaugh, Terry M. Gingell, Anthony Taylor, Christopher M. Stratton, Benjamin Schwind