Patents Assigned to United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9811951
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing fault codes triggered by one or more vehicles during operation. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve recording and analyzing fault codes triggered during a particular time period while a vehicle is in operation. As a result of the analysis, various embodiments of the invention may set a state for each of the identified fault codes, the state indicating a level of action to address the identified fault code. In particular embodiments, the states may be one of a caution state indicating one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle should be monitored, a critical state indicating one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle should be repaired, or an environmental state indicating failure or potential failure of one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle may affect one or more environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Olsen, III, David L. Bradley, Matthew S. Hendrix
  • Patent number: 9811798
    Abstract: A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Patent number: 9805521
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a systems and methods for assessing turns made by one or more vehicles. According to various embodiments, the system is configured to identify, based telematics data captured from the vehicles, turns executed by the vehicle during a particular time period. The system is further configured to analyze the identified turns to determine and display various turn segment attributes to a user in order to provide an indication of turns having an abnormal or excessive duration and/or to provide overall efficiency-indicative information relating to the vehicle turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9804289
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, III, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Patent number: 9805529
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for identifying assets (e.g., mobile assets and/or personnel assets). In one embodiment, a mobile asset can be uniquely identified from RFID tags. In another embodiment, mobile assets and personnel assets can be identified from captured image data. After identification, it can be determined whether the asset (e.g., mobile asset and/or personnel asset) is authorized for one or more activities and a corresponding perceivable indication can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Carl M Skonberg, Ernest J. Pyzocha, Jr., Andrew J. Hill, III, Bobby J. McFarland
  • Patent number: 9798999
    Abstract: A computer system for ranking potential attended delivery/pickup locations is disclosed. In various embodiments, a user or computer system identifies an area in which to establish at least one attended delivery/pickup location. In a particular embodiment, the system receives data associated with potential attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., attended delivery/pickup location candidates), including the specific characteristics of those candidates. The system then, based at least in part on the characteristics of each of the attended delivery/pickup location candidates, ranks the attended delivery/pickup location candidates and displays the rankings to a user for use in selecting the most suitable candidate for the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Schenken
  • Patent number: 9796480
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for notifying a flight crew of a fire condition in a cargo container of an aircraft. For instance, particular embodiments involve installing at least one notification device on a cargo container that is in communication with at least one of a fire-detection system or a fire-suppression system for the cargo container. In these particular embodiments, the notification device is configured to emit energy when the fire-detection system detects the fire condition in the cargo container or the fire-suppression system activates as a result of the fire condition. Further, particular embodiments of the invention involve installing at least one detector positioned to detect the energy emitted by the notification device. In these particular embodiments, the detector is configured to send a signal to notify the flight crew of the fire condition after detecting the energy emitted by the notification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith M. Stehman, Richard S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9799149
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fleet management computer system configured for providing a fleet management user interface. According to various embodiments, the fleet management computer system is configured for assessing operational data to determine a vehicle travel path and one or more operational characteristics indicated by the operational data. In addition, according to various embodiments, the fleet management computer system is configured for generating a graphical user interface that includes an evaluation results display showing the operational characteristics and a geographical map showing the vehicle travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9800564
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating cross-platform authentication. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to detect that a visual token includes data indicating one or more authentication credentials for accessing a communication device in response to scanning the visual token. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to communicate the authentication credentials of the detected visual token to the communication device to request the communication device to determine whether the authentication credentials are valid for a user. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to enable access to the communication device in response to receiving an indication from the communication device that the authentication credentials of the detected visual token are valid. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Weiqun Jack Zheng, Robert Frederick Myrick
  • Patent number: 9798998
    Abstract: A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagesh Kadaba
  • Patent number: 9779380
    Abstract: A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagesh Kadaba
  • Patent number: 9779435
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide computer program products and mobile purchase shipping systems for facilitating purchase of a product by a customer. The products and systems may be configured to receive customer data associated with the customer and to validate at least a portion of the received customer data. The products and systems may then receive package data associated with the product and receive payment data from a type of payment presented by the customer. Once received, the products and systems may use at least a portion of the validated data, the package data, and the payment data to generate a shipping manifest. In certain embodiments, the products and systems may include a magnetic card reader configured to read customer data from a customer driver's license. Still other embodiments may incorporate a mobile printer, such that the products and systems may generate a package shipping label, a shipping manifest, and/or a receipt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Byron Crutcher, Lester Ross
  • Patent number: 9778049
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for forecasting travel delays corresponding to streets, street segments, geographic areas, geofenced areas, and/or user-specified criteria. And from the forecasted travel delays, speed and travel times that take into account such travel delays can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9754484
    Abstract: In general, embodiments of the present invention provide methods, apparatus, systems, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like for detecting possible traffic violations of vehicles. For example, in one embodiment, this may include receiving an indication that a school bus has entered or is entering a stopped position. After receiving an indication that the school bus has entered or is entering the stopped position, an area proximate the school bus can be monitored to detect possible traffic violations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Schenken, Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9739596
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide an improved conveyor belt comprising: a visible surface having a primary axis oriented in a machine direction; a plurality of first stripes having a first visible appearance, each of the plurality of first stripes at least in part defining the visible surface and being oriented perpendicular to the primary axis; and a plurality of second stripes having a second visible appearance, each of the plurality of second stripes at least in part defining the visible surface and being oriented perpendicular to the primary axis, wherein: the second visible appearance provides a contrasting appearance relative to the first visible appearance; and each of the plurality of second stripes are located intermediate two of the plurality of first stripes such that the plurality of first and second stripes collectively define an alternating contrasting pattern on the visible surface of the improved conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Piotr Janicki
  • Patent number: 9709402
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for determining the accuracy of map data. In one embodiment, map data and collected telematics data can be compared. The difference between the map data and the telematics data can be used to determine the accuracy of the map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9705880
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a data governance and licensing system for monitoring usage of tracking data associated with transport of a plurality of packages and for facilitating licensing arrangements in connection therewith. In certain embodiments, the system comprises: one or more memory storage areas containing a variety of data and one or more computer processors. The one or more computer processors are configured to: receive observed data associated with access of tracking data by at least one accessing party; analyze at least a portion of the observed data to determine identification data for the accessing party; compare the identification data and the authorized user data to determine whether the accessing party is an authorized party; determine whether one or more discrepancies exist between the observed data and either generic usage data or authorized user data; and if so, generate either a license proposal or a license revision request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Siris
  • Patent number: 9704303
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Davidson, John A. Olsen, III
  • Patent number: 9691194
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fleet management system configured for capturing and evaluating vehicle telematics data, such as data captured from one or more vehicle telematics devices indicative of one or more vehicle dynamics, and service data, such as data captured from one or more portable data acquisition devices indicative of one or more service dynamics. In certain embodiments, the fleet management system is configured to associate captured vehicle telematics data with captured service data based on the contextual attributes of each, such as the time, date, and location of data capture. By synching the vehicle telematics data to the service data, the operational data can be uniquely assessed for various operational efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9679268
    Abstract: Various embodiments of present invention provide systems, methods, and computer-program products containing executable code for processing a package for shipping with a common carrier. Various embodiments include a wireless computing device that may be one of several types of devices such as smartphones, mobile telephones, mobile computers, portable digital assistants, laptop computers, gaming devices, electronic tablets, or other types of similar devices. In particular embodiments, executable code is installed on the wireless computing device that, when executed, causes the device to perform certain functionality. For instance, in particular embodiments, the wireless computing device records an image of a shipping form being placed on a package, verifies the image is suitable for analysis and transmission, and extracts a tracking number from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Bolton