Patents Assigned to The United States Postal Service
  • Methods and systems for secure digital credentials
    Patent number: 10645068
    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: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton C Bonnell, Kelley A Sullivan
  • System and method for providing real-time tracking of items in a distribution network
    Patent number: 10628794
    Abstract: Systems and methods of processing items. Items in a distribution network or process may be scanned at every handling point in the distribution network, and each scan is recorded in a central repository. The scan information can be used to generate real-time access to data, analytical tools, predictive tools, and tracking reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Carla F. Sherry, Amy B. Cradic, C. Scot Atkins, Himesh A. Patel
  • Item tracking using a dynamic region of interest
    Patent number: 10621457
    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 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Todd M. Schimmel
  • Elastomeric force mitigating joint
    Patent number: 10605325
    Abstract: The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Methods and systems for providing a secure electronic mailbox
    Patent number: 10587557
    Abstract: A secure electronic mailbox is provided to a customer having an electronic account. The electronic account links the secure electronic mailbox to a physical address of the customer. The customer can send and receive secure and non-secure messages via the secure electronic mailbox. The customer can also access electronic services such as electronic bill presentment and payment using the secure electronic mailbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Jon L. Cook, Christine Ray, Cathy M. Rogerson
  • Dimensional measuring system
    Patent number: 10584996
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional measuring system is disclosed. The measuring system includes a dimensional measuring device that fits over an exterior portion of an item and provides reference measurements in three orthogonal directions. The measuring system also includes a camera to take an image of the item with the dimensional measuring placed thereon and a hardware processor that receives and processes the image to determine the dimensions of the item based upon the reference measurements of the dimensional measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Wanda L. Key
  • Secure and traceable security features for documents
    Patent number: 10572705
    Abstract: A system for providing document authenticity, securing, and tracing includes a mark, an invisible code and a serial number. A user desiring to create a secure, verifiable document can receive one or more codes or indicia to put on the physical document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Ronald E. Garey, Suzanne N. Dunn
  • Systems and methods for creating and using a hybrid-digital mailbox
    Patent number: 10565542
    Abstract: A method, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium are provided for displaying a hybrid-digital mailbox. In one embodiment, the a method is provided for determining a user identifier corresponding to the hybrid-digital mailbox, extracting profile information corresponding to the user identifier, determining a delivery point associated with the user identifier based on the profile information, sending a request for information regarding incoming delivery items associated with the identified delivery point, and displaying a user interface depicting a listing of the incoming delivery items associated with the identified delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Chandra A. Briggman, Jane Elizabeth Quenk, Timothy M. Moran, Kelley A. Sullivan, Michael John Amato, Robert E. Dixon, Jr.
  • Belt tracking assembly and methods for the same
    Patent number: 10556746
    Abstract: A pulley assembly for an automative machine and methods for adjusting the pulley assembly are disclosed. The pulley assembly may include a monolithic body, an actuation assembly, and a pulley. The monolithic body may define a recess extending from a first end surface toward a second end surface thereof. The recess may at least partially separate an upper portion of the monolithic body from a lower portion of the monolithic body. The actuation assembly may be operably coupled with the monolithic body and configured to apply a biasing force to the upper portion of the monolithic body to actuate the upper portion of the monolithic body towards or away from the lower portion of the monolithic body. The pulley may be rotatably coupled with the upper portion of the monolithic body such that the pulley moves when the upper portion of the monolithic body is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Hans Arlt, Christopher R. Simpson
  • Receptacle for detecting delivery and retrieval events
    Patent number: 10558941
    Abstract: A receptacle for detecting delivery and retrieval events has a door sensor, an item sensor, a scanner, and a control unit for operating the sensors, and transmitting the sensor information for processing and analysis. A system can determine whether an event was a delivery or retrieval event based on sensor information and item tracking information. A system can further include an item configured to interact with a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Robert E. Dixon, Ryan Luckay
  • Systems, methods and devices for item processing
    Patent number: 10549319
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for item processing. The systems can include a PASS module that can include features that receive inputs relating to an item for processing and provide those inputs to other components and/or modules of a PASS system and/or of another system. The PASS system can include a variety of modules, including the PASS module, and can collect information and/or inputs from the variety of modules of the PASS system and use that information in item processing. The methods of item processing can use the PASS system and the PASS module to perform a variety of functions including, for example, revenue protection, sorting of items, task management, sampling and data collection, redirecting if enroute items, and personnel management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Carla F. Sherry
  • Method and system for item authentication and customization
    Patent number: 10535211
    Abstract: A method of illuminating an item is disclosed. The method includes applying adhesive to the item, interspersing a taggant in the adhesive, illuminating the item with an excitation signal, sensing luminescence emitted by the taggant in response to illumination by the excitation signal, and determining the authenticity of the item based on the sensed emitted luminescence. The item can include any item benefited by authentication, and can include a postage stamp. A method of customizing an item is disclosed. This can include the steps of preparing a substrate, applying a security feature to the substrate, printing non-customized information on the substrate, receiving image information, and printing the image information on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Khalid Hussain, Marie Therese Dominguez, David E. Failor, William G. Ackerman
  • System and method for find and deliver service
    Patent number: 10521839
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods and apparatus for finding and delivering a desired item, including unique or hard-to-find items. In one example, there is provided a method that includes receiving a request to find the item and broadcasting the request. The method includes receiving responses to the broadcasted request, the responses indicating a finding of the item and including a bid to sell the item. The method includes providing purchase options for the item to a source of the request based on the received responses, and receiving, from the source of the request, a selection of a purchase option from among the purchase options provided to the source. The method includes providing instructions to a provider of the selected purchase option based on the received selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Carla F. Sherry
  • System and method for processing items for international distribution
    Patent number: 10521755
    Abstract: A system and method for generating shipping labels for shipping items to other countries. The shipping label can be based on shipping information for the item. The shipping label can also contain information about whether there was a landed cost guarantee associated with the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Teresa Y. Yeager, Arneece L. Williams, Neena Dhuria
  • Multi-level distribution and tracking systems and methods
    Patent number: 10521633
    Abstract: A multi-level distribution and tracking system is described. Processing equipment processes multi-level distribution items, the multi-level distribution items being associated with first, second, and third level entities. The multi-level distribution items include a computer readable code thereon. The processing equipment captures an image of the multi-level distribution item, reads a computer readable code associated with the first level entity, sender information for the second level entity, and destination address information for the third level entity. The processing equipment generates tracking information based on the processing of the multi-level distribution item, and can send the tracking information to the first level entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Victoria K. Stephen, Elke Reuning-Elliott
  • Multi-level distribution and tracking systems and methods
    Patent number: 10521632
    Abstract: A distribution item includes a first item with a container having an outer surface defining an enclosed space. A computer-readable code is disposed on the outer surface. The computer-readable code is associated with a first level entity. The first item also includes destination information associated with a second level entity disposed on the outer surface. The distribution item also includes one or more second items removably positioned within the enclosed space of the first item. Each of the one or more second items includes the computer-readable code associated with the first level entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Victoria K. Stephen, Elke Reuning-Elliott
  • Rigid tray container and method of use
    Patent number: 10518934
    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: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Donald R. Close
  • Localized data affinity system and hybrid method
    Patent number: 10509807
    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: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: C. Scot Atkins, Joseph Conway
  • Systems and methods for sleeve detection
    Patent number: 10507985
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for detecting a covering sleeve on a container. A sleeve detection system includes a conveyor, a height profile acquisition device, and a processor in communication with the height profile acquisition device. The height profile acquisition device is configured to acquire height profiles of a tray traveling on the conveyor. The processor is configured to analyze height profiles received from the height profile acquisition device to determine a sleeve status of the tray. In some embodiments, a light gate is disposed across the conveyor and configured to detect the presence of a tray on the conveyor approaching the height profile acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Austin C. Bouchard, Alexander S. Klinger
  • Cluster box mail delivery unit
    Patent number: D871713
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Ryszard K. Mikolajczyk, Taurris D. Baskerville