Patents Assigned to The United States Postal Service
  • Patent number: 9996813
    Abstract: A method, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium are provided for populating a calendar. In one embodiment, a method is provided for receiving tracking data regarding a delivery item, calculating an expected delivery date for the delivery item, identifying one or more deadlines associated with the delivery item, based on the tracking information, and automatically populating a user's calendar with the expected delivery date and the one or more deadlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Chandra A. Briggman, Jane Elizabeth Quenk, Timothy M. Moran, Kelley A. Sullivan, Robert E. Dixon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9987834
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for removing pressure adhesive indicia, such as labels or stamps, from their backing and affixing the same to a target substrate is provided. The automated process affixes stamps, for example, to the target substrate with both speed and precision of placement. Desired stamps can be selectively removed from a backing, for example, can be placed on variable locations upon the target substrate, and can be affixed in the desired orientation with precise spacing between stamps. The precision of affixation afforded by this system is commensurate with philatelic standards and is suitable for all pressure adhesive indicia where rapid and precise placement is desired for aesthetic or other reasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Khalid Hussain, David C. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 9962743
    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: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9958877
    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: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Nan K. McKenzie, William A. Tartal, Victoria K. Stephen, Michael J. Amato
  • Patent number: 9948630
    Abstract: A system and method of validating an upgrade of authentication credentials includes authenticating a first user being associated with a first entity, receiving input identifying a customer name for the online account, receiving input indicating a type of identification to be presented at the validation event, receiving input indicating a transaction code associated with the validation event, and receiving input indicating a location of the validation event, and further includes authenticating a second user being associated with a second entity, providing to the second user a list of validation events for a location, receiving input selecting a validation event in the list of validation events, presenting one or more of the customer name, transaction code, and type of identification associated with the selected validation event, and receiving input indicating a result of the validation event, where a credential or token is created and assigned based on the validation event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Timothy M. Moran, Jane E. Quenk, Douglas Paul Glair, Charles P. McLellan
  • Patent number: 9943883
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for unloading articles from a container of items for use in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a belt, a moveable lower paddle, and a moveable upper paddle, wherein the lower paddle is configured to partially extend through a belt of the automatic stack feeder. The movement of the belt, the lower paddle, and the upper paddle are coordinated such that there is no need to interrupt the operation of the automatic stack feeder to unload the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Darin Dickey
  • Patent number: 9922467
    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: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Daniel Mark Bentley, Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey
  • Patent number: 9898790
    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: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    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
  • Publication number: 20180030756
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. IRWIN, Michael L. SPEARS, Robert DALTON
  • Publication number: 20180012481
    Abstract: The invention includes systems, methods, and software applications for centrally maintaining information and automatically distributing relevant portions of the information to remote users. In one embodiment, a central server stores the information, which is maintained on the central server. Periodically, or each time the server information is updated, the server identifies the portion of the information that is relevant to each user and downloads the relevant portion of information to each user, for example to a mobile device such as a Blackberry™. The invention may be used to maintain and timely distribute information related to emergency response procedures, sales or servicing schedules, and delivery schedules, among other things.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Pat Mendonca, Jonathan C. Pruett
  • Patent number: 9862522
    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: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Donald R. Close
  • Patent number: 9864997
    Abstract: Methods and systems to provide for a user to request information over a network and receive the requested information through one or more information channels. A user, through a client device, may access, through a network, a web page that is hosted on a server. The server, while providing primary information, may further provide an opportunity for the user to request secondary information. The user may request access to the secondary information, while maintaining access to the primary information. Included in the request may be a channel selection, and associated channel selection information, through which the user wishes to receive the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Charles R. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: D808258
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Jim E. Lee
  • Patent number: D809739
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Michael LeRoy Spears, Joel L. Dewnandan, Donald Eugene Irwin, Joram Shenhar, William Albert Tartal
  • Patent number: D810379
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Abe Sarian, Edward Mascali
  • Patent number: D810389
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Michael LeRoy Spears, Joel L. Dewnandan, Donald Eugene Irwin, Joram Shenhar, William Albert Tartal
  • Patent number: D811038
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Michael LeRoy Spears, Joel L. Dewnandan, Donald Eugene Irwin, Joram Shenhar, William Albert Tartal
  • Patent number: D811039
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Michael LeRoy Spears, Joel L. Dewnandan, Donald Eugene Irwin, Joram Shenhar, William Albert Tartal
  • Patent number: D811688
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Michael LeRoy Spears, Joel L. Dewnandan, Donald Eugene Irwin, Joram Shenhar, William Albert Tartal
  • Patent number: D812467
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Jim E. Lee