Patents Assigned to United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11259663
    Abstract: A containment unit that facilitates delivery of parcels using drones is provided. An example containment unit comprises an inner housing unit and an outer housing unit. The inner housing unit includes a first and second sidewall that are connected by an end piece and have a bottom opening in between. The inner housing unit is movable from a retracted position over a floor of the containment unit to an extended position, where a portion of the opening is extended beyond the floor. A parcel may be inserted into a volume of space within the inner housing unit from below through the opening and pulled into the containment unit by the end piece when the inner housing unit is retracted. The containment unit can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include an elevated delivery platform, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Julio Gil
  • Patent number: 11257337
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the location of an asset may utilize wireless asset beacons broadcasting asset information/data and powered asset beacons secured relative to movable powered assets. The powered asset beacons may be configured to receive signals transmitted from the asset beacons and to ascertain a relative location between the asset beacon and the powered asset to determine an estimated location of the asset. Moreover, the asset beacons may be selectively activated based on the occurrence of a trigger event, such that the asset beacons do not wireless transmit information/data when it is desirable to limit wireless data transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Tyler, Balakrishna Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 11257028
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system, methods, and computer-readable media for a self-regulating and self-adjusting reconciliation of a cumulative contribution amount and a cumulative delivery value determined for instances associated with an entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Chris Grubb
  • Patent number: 11257176
    Abstract: Identifiers are provided within a user interface, where the identifiers correspond to a management of sorting operations for sorting parcels to be shipped. Some aspects include determining whether shipping information has been uploaded by a particular time. In response to the determining, some aspects include providing a first status indicator within a first view of the user interface. The first status indicator indicates whether one or more users have uploaded the shipping information to computing devices by the particular time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Tony Baldassari
  • Patent number: 11249737
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for building an application. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to generate a build of an application in a C Object-Oriented Programming Language. The processor is also configured to generate a unity file including a plurality of source files having references to one or more header files. At least two of the source files include references to a same header file. The processor is also configured to compile the unity file including the plurality of source files to obtain an object file. The processor is also configured to link the object file to generate an executable of the application. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Liberant
  • Patent number: 11188869
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for enforcing consistency of data between disparate systems of a transportation network with verified transactions. Embodiments include receiving a transaction that is generated based on a command indicating an intent to transfer an asset from the originating hub to a destination hub. The generated transaction can include a sender identifier associated with the originating hub, an asset identifier associated with the asset, and a detected location of the asset. The received transaction is communicated to any node of the plurality of nodes that are configured store it onto a distributed ledger based on a determined verification that the included detected location corresponds to a location associated with the included sender identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Balakrishna Subramaniam, Jason Chodyniecki
  • Patent number: 11182733
    Abstract: Systems, according to various embodiments, are adapted to use any of a variety of different techniques to identify an individual. In particular embodiments, the system is adapted to, at least partially in response to confirming the identity of a consignee of a parcel, provide the consignee with access to a parcel stored within a secured locker. In particular embodiments, the system may use the current or past location of the consignee, or information from one or more objects physically associated with the consignee (e.g., a portable computing device or an electronic or paper info notice) to verify the consignee's identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalin Robinson, David Carder, Robert J. Gillen
  • Patent number: 11182730
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for programmatically determining/identifying a delivery location and time based on the schedule of the consignee. One example embodiment may include a method comprising receiving shipping/parcel information/data, the shipping/parcel information/data indicative of an item/parcel to be delivered to a consignee by a carrier, determining whether consignee schedule information/data is accessible, the consignee schedule information/data comprising information/data indicative of a consignee and information/data indicative of a location and an associated time at which the consignee has indicated an ability to receive an item, and providing, to a client device, via a network, a delivery location and a delivery time, the delivery location and the delivery time determined between the consignee schedule information/data and the default delivery location and the estimated time of delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Sager, William Gensburg
  • Patent number: 11182732
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting duplicate travel. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to detect a travel path of a vehicle based in part on received items of location data. The processor is also configured to determine whether the travel path is associated with a defined street segment including a plurality of location points corresponding to a street. The processor is further configured to determine whether the vehicle travels the street multiple times in a predefined time period. The processor is further configured to superimpose visible indicia on the defined street segment in response to detecting that the vehicle traveled the street multiple times during the predefined time period. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 11176512
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensors to facilitate loading and unloading of assets into receptacles. The LIDAR sensors may be configured to detect the location of various surfaces (e.g., asset surfaces) within a receptacle such that mapping data indicative of the location of the detected surfaces may be generated. This mapping data may facilitate a determination of a total volume of unoccupied space within the receptacle and/or the identification of an unoccupied volume sufficient to accommodate an item having defined dimensions. The mapping data may additionally be indicative of the location of asset identifiers disposed on one or more detected surfaces to facilitate locating a particular asset associated with a provided asset identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Marc David Siris
  • Patent number: 11174045
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for autonomously performing and/or facilitating drone diagnostic functions. Prior to a mission of a UAV, an inspection station comprising at least one imaging sensor and at least one directional force sensor may be used to perform a plurality of air worthiness inspections and/or maintenance checks with little to no human intervention. Once the UAV has been determined to be air worthy, it is approved for a subsequent mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Julio Gil
  • Patent number: 11170548
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for overcoming the technical problem of providing an augmented reality that displays an actual image of the item or a proportionally dimensioned representation of the item to a user. To overcome this challenge, two separate approaches can be used: a beacon/tag/sensor-based approach and a marker-based approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Dotterweich, Christopher T. Schenken, Jeffrey Cooper
  • Patent number: 11170458
    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: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Sathiyan Parameswaran, Bruce Besserer, Nicholas Costides, Mark Hilbush
  • Patent number: 11164141
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points being associated with a common geographic descriptor. Accordingly, various embodiments receive shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to a first serviceable point and a second shipment to be delivered to a second serviceable point. A first geographic descriptor is identified as associated with the first serviceable point and a second geographic descriptor is identified as associated with the second serviceable point, and a determination is made whether the first and second geographic descriptors are the same. Upon a determination that the first and second geographic descriptors are the same, an indication is provided that the first and second shipments are eligible for synchronized delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Bolton, Steven D. Brill, Matthew Collins, Anthony Creasy, Andrew Dotterweich, Joseph Guerrisi, Daniel Kettleson, Michael Mulholland, Robert J. Gillen, Greg Loppatto, John Hernandez, Butch Butler, Scott Lord
  • Patent number: 11157863
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for engaging a service provider to perform a delivery service to redirect a shipment to be delivered to an alternative intended destination upon receipt of a redirection request. Based on a monitored current location of a last mile delivery vehicle scheduled to deliver the shipment to an initial intended destination, a computing entity monitors the location of available service providers capable of meeting the last mile delivery vehicle to pick up the shipment and transport the shipment to the alternative intended destination. The computing entity may engage one of the service providers by transmitting a signal to a mobile computing entity carried by the service provider and may monitor the service provider's progress in meeting the last mile delivery vehicle and transporting the shipment to the alternative intended destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Juan Perez
  • Patent number: 11157861
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mapping management computer system. According to various embodiments, the mapping management computer system may be configured for updating geographical maps by assessing map data and operational data including vehicle telematics data to identify portions of a vehicle path that do not correspond to known travel paths. In various embodiments, the system is configured to define these identified portions as new known travel paths corresponding to a public road, private road, parking lot lane, or the like, and update the map data to reflect the new known travel paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Davidson, John A. Olsen, III
  • Patent number: 11156471
    Abstract: A system is provided for hands-free handling of at least one asset by a user. The system includes a user device configured to be worn by a user and a control system remotely located relative to the user device and configured to exchange asset-related data with the user device, the asset-related data including at least one or more notifications related to the handling of the at least one asset by the user at the asset location. The user device contains a processor configured to determine location data associated with the at least one asset and including a location for the at least one asset, the determination being based, in part, upon the obtained asset identifier data; dynamically generate and display, at the user device, one or more navigational projections configured to guide the user to the asset location; and detect handling of the at least one asset by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Julio Gil
  • Patent number: 11151510
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities for tracking an item delivery are provided. In one embodiment, an item is associated with a vehicle (e.g., manned or unmanned terrestrial vehicle, nautical vehicle, and/or aerial vehicle) by updating item data in a database. An item tracking session is then generated based on the item data. Upon the determination that session availability trigger has occurred, access to the item tracking session is provided to a user. Data representing an updated location of the delivery vehicle is then used to update the item data to indicate the current location of the item as the updated location of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sumeet Pradeep Shroff, Kenny Takano Takahashi, Jeffrey J. Horne, Thomas V. Hoffmann, Michael J. Donohue, Ferdinand So, Julian Pulfrey, Michael Kerr, Larry Augsburger, Todd Brown, Susan Ruggles, Shane Hennessy, John Brelesky
  • Patent number: 11151488
    Abstract: A first feature is displayed within a first view of a user interface. A first selection of the first feature is configured to display a first set of identifiers corresponding to one or more tasks. A second feature is displayed within the first view of the user interface. A second selection of the second feature is configured to display a second set of identifiers corresponding to a set of workers. Each worker of the set of workers is associated with the one or more tasks and a first time that the one or more tasks are scheduled to be completed by. A set of status indicators are displayed. Each status indicator of the set of status indicators indicates whether the one or more tasks have been completed by the first time for the each worker of the set of workers based at least in part on the associating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Bryant Halioris, Paul Overstreet, Brandon Scott Pry, Balakrishna Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 11144870
    Abstract: An unallocated item/product inventory is maintained in each of a plurality of delivery vehicles traversing service routes within a delivery service area. Upon receipt of an order for delivery of an item/product that may be selected from the item/product inventory maintained within a delivery vehicle and that is to be delivered to a destination location within the delivery service area, a delivery vehicle driver is instructed to deliver an item/product selected from the item/product inventory located on the delivery vehicle during the corresponding service route on the same day that the order was placed. A delivery label for the item/product is printed, and the delivery vehicle driver secures the printed delivery label to an item/product selected from the unallocated item/product inventory, and delivers the item/product to the destination location on the same day the order was placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Loubriel