Patents Assigned to United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9082096
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for initiating shipment of and payment for shipping a parcel. For example, in one embodiment, a customer/user can receive a message on a user device from a carrier that includes an authorization code for shipping a parcel. After the customer/user ships the parcel, the carrier can charge a variety of accounts for the shipping charges, including a wireless services provider associated with the user device. In another embodiment, the customer/user can interact with a kiosk to ship the parcel. In this embodiment, the carrier can also charge a variety of accounts for the shipping charges, including a wireless services provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sathiyan Parameswaran, Bruce Besserer, Nicholas Costides, Mark Hilbush
  • Publication number: 20150121147
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating bulk assignment of test cases to a test cycle. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to enable selection, via a user interface, of test cases to assign the test cases to a designated test cycle. The test cases are designated for testing or execution of functions of at least one application. The processor is also configured to automatically calculate an estimated duration of time in which to complete the testing or execution of the functions in response to receipt of indications of selections of the test cases via the user interface. The processor is also configured to provide visible indicia in the user interface indicating the estimated duration of time in which to complete the testing or the execution of the functions of the application. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Karch, Elena Santantasio
  • Patent number: 9016559
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for arranging for shipping a package without the customer needing to generate or apply a shipping label, or any other information, to the package. In one embodiment, a system may comprise a carrier server and a carrier device. The carrier server may receive and store a smart code and shipping information associated with the package, which it may link together. The carrier device may capture the smart code from the package and send a request, including the smart code, to the carrier server for related shipping information. The carrier server may receive the request from the carrier device, retrieve the shipping information based on the smart code, and send the shipping information to the carrier device. The carrier device may receive the shipping information and generate a shipping label for the package based on the shipping information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gillen, Mark S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9014723
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for managing access of mobile stations to a plurality of wireless carriers. For example, in one embodiment, a central system can provide configuration files to mobile stations. The mobile stations can use the configuration files to access a plurality of different wireless carriers, with the different wireless carriers potentially implementing distinct technologies and communication standards and protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Hopkins, Joseph Burdick
  • Publication number: 20150100513
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for customer controlled management of shipments. For example, customers can define handling identifiers to determine how items should be handled based on the handling identifier. Further, customers can define refund classifications to determine when refunds should be initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Carrie Parris
  • Publication number: 20150100514
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for customer controlled management of shipments. For example, customers can define handling identifiers to determine how items should be handled based on the handling identifier. Further, customers can define refund classifications to determine when refunds should be initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Carrie Parris
  • Publication number: 20150081587
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for customer controlled management of shipments. For example, in various embodiments, a customer can provide information prior to a first delivery or pickup attempt of an item by a carrier to receive messages regarding shipment of the item and to have the item delivered or picked up in accordance with an automatic service schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: ROBERT J. GILLEN
  • Patent number: 8983869
    Abstract: Systems and methods for supporting regulatory requirements for the distribution of controlled and non-controlled items such as, for example, non-controlled prescriptions (Rx), medical devices, and controlled substances in countries such as the United States and Canada, are provided. The systems and methods incorporate a license verification module that is configured to perform license validation for a particular order placed for a controlled and/or non-controlled item. In certain embodiments, the license verification module compares order data to historically sorted data and if one or more discrepancies exist, validation is unsuccessful. The license verification module may further query a third party database for updated license information upon validation failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Flanagan, Benny Delgado, Cheryl Wilson, Rohit Oberai, Preeti Singh, Richa Aggarwal, Amy Carney, Anilkumar Menon, Hammad Z. Muhammad, Satish B. Menon
  • Publication number: 20150066752
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide an online returns management system for facilitating a carrier acquiring a credit amount due for transporting to a supplier one or more items. The system comprises one or more computer processors configured to: assign a tracking identifier to at least one return request, the tracking identifier being associated further with existing order data and being configured for tracking shipment of the one or more items; generate an electronic shipping label configured for use by at least one carrier to facilitate transport of the one or more items to the supplier. The computer processors are further configured to determine a transit status for the one or more items based upon received tracking data; and in response to delivery of the one or more items, generate one or more notifications of a credit amount due the carrier. Associated methods and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffery Steven Phillips
  • Publication number: 20150039347
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for proactively managing intervention activities associated with the delivery of at least one package and the settlement of costs incurred thereby. The system comprises one or more computer processors configured to receive new PLD data, the new PLD comprising at least an indication of a jeopardy delivery condition triggering the predefined condition associated with and impacting the delivery of the at least one package; determine and identify one of the one or more actions to be taken by the service provider in response to the jeopardy delivery condition, the determination and identification being based at least in part upon a portion of the intervention data; receive an indication of costs incurred due to the identified action being taken; and in response to receiving the indication, determine an appropriate settlement procedure for the costs, the determination being based at least in part upon the insurance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kranti Sharma
  • Patent number: 8924312
    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: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagesh Kadaba
  • Patent number: 8918340
    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: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagesh Kadaba
  • Patent number: 8896430
    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: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J Davidson, John A Olsen, III
  • Patent number: 8852067
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method for making a garment box insert. The method comprises the steps of performing a plurality of folding actions upon a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall so as to form a container portion. Extended flap portions and fold-over panels are further provided and folded so as to enclose and define the container portion. A first walled enclosure portion is further formed by performing steps of folding the second and first fold-over panels such that an elongate slot and at least to apertures are appropriately aligned. The method concludes with inserting one or more tabs of the first walled enclosure portion into one or more oval slots in the first side wall, so as to selectively secure the first walled portion relative to the first side wall during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gijs Houdijk, Koen De Greef, Frits Stam
  • Patent number: 8843410
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing supply chain financing that include receiving a request to finance an asset of a borrower, where the asset is associated with goods provided by a supplier to a buyer under the control of a supply chain/logistics entity. Attributes of a trade ecosystem of the supplier and/or the buyer are evaluated to determine whether to finance the asset. Financing of the asset is then established based upon the analyzed attributes of the trade ecosystem, where the terms of the financing permit control over movement of goods before and/or after default of the terms of the financing. Information associated with movement of the goods is monitored and analyzed to determine adjustments to at least one of the financing terms based on the information associated with movement of the goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Parcel Services of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin E. Blount, Raymond A. Reulbach, Humberto Castillo, Brian A. Cronin, Bryan K. Preston, Christopher M. Vukas
  • Publication number: 20140279300
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a rate structuring system for determining a rate adjustment for at least one service point within a geographical area. In certain embodiments, the system comprises one or more computer processors configured to: receive service point data comprising one or more real-time observed characteristics associated with delivery of at least one package to one or more of said at least one service points within said geographical area; retrieve rate data; calculate at least one of cost data and profit data for each service point associated with said received service point data; compare said calculated cost/profit data against one or more parameters; and in response to at least a portion of said calculated data differing from said one or more parameters, generate rate adjustment instructions, said instructions being configured for implementation of an adjustment to said rate data. Associated computer program products and computer implemented methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Duane E Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140278096
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for defining travel paths in parking areas. In one embodiment, travel paths in parking areas can be defined by connecting street networking connection points within the parking areas. In another embodiment, such defined travel paths can be merged with actual paths traveled by vehicles in the parking areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: MARK J. DAVIDSON
  • Publication number: 20140278101
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for defining travel paths in parking areas. In one embodiment, travel paths in parking areas can be defined by connecting street networking connection points within the parking areas. In another embodiment, such defined travel paths can be merged with actual paths traveled by vehicles in the parking areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: MARK J. DAVIDSON
  • Publication number: 20140279650
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the signature of documents. In various embodiments the system is configured to manage the transportation of the documents among users whose signature is required on the documents. The documents may include, for example, legal documents. In particular embodiments, the system is configured to deliver the documents to attended delivery/pickup locations associated with each user required to sign the document, facilitate each user's signature of the documents at the associated attended delivery/pickup location, and deliver the document to an end destination. The ultimate destination of the document may include an address associated with a user requesting signature of the document, or any other suitable location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Luc Pirenne, Peter Henderickx
  • Patent number: D714643
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gijs Houdijk, Koen De Greef, Frits Stam