Patents Assigned to United Parcel Service
  • Patent number: 11367040
    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 logically clustered. Accordingly, various embodiments store a record for a serviceable point comprising data identifying the serviceable point and data identifying a second serviceable point. Thereafter, shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to the serviceable point is received, and the record for the serviceable point is accessed to retrieve the data identifying the second serviceable point. A second shipment scheduled to be delivered to the second serviceable point is identified, and an indication is provided that the first and second shipments are eligible for synchronized delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    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: 11354765
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a parcel position error based on a comparison of load data and configuration data are provided. Embodiments describe a number of methods of determining the parcel position error such as by determining a parcel path from the load data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mallory Freeman, Timothy Major, David Wu, Lauren Skorb, Matthew Britton
  • Patent number: 11339547
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing a travel path applicant. For example, a computing entity can monitor the location of a maintenance vehicle and/or its travel path to dispense travel path applicants accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagesh Kadaba
  • Patent number: 11328541
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide prognostic vehicle diagnosis methodologies for monitoring the relative health of various vehicle components over time, to enable replacement of those vehicle components prior to component failure. Sensors monitoring those vehicle components transmit generated telematics data to a computing entity configured to generate a telematics data signature based on the sensor-generated data, and to compare the telematics data signature against a reference data signature to ascertain the relative health of the vehicle component. If the telematics data signature satisfies a failure threshold identified within the reference signature, the computing entity initiates a replacement process at least in part by generating an alert for a maintenance personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Aiello, Ralph Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11292676
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling objects being loaded or unloaded from a storage structure or vehicle, such as a trailer. In example embodiments, a plurality of parcels may be stored in or on a trailer that is attached to a cab of a delivery vehicle. Upon arrival at a deposit location, the trailer loaded with the one or more parcels may be removably secured to a an adjustable platform designed to be raised to a predetermined angle for unloading of the one or more parcels. Once the adjustable platform is raised to the predetermined angle, a plurality of adjustable dividing mechanisms may be configured to pivot, allowing for the movement of a controlled volume of the one or more parcels onto the receiving platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Joel Stenson
  • Patent number: 11288623
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automatically carrying out actions based on action identifiers in messages. In one embodiment, an appropriate computing entity can determine whether a message comprises an action identifier in the message. If the message comprises an action identifier, one or more of the parties of message can be identified and the corresponding action can be initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Gillen
  • Patent number: 11276025
    Abstract: An occupancy database is in electronic communication with a plurality of location-specific distributed computing entities to maintain real-time update occupancy data for various entities. As those entities relocate from one location to another (e.g., moving from one apartment to another), distributed computing entities associated with both the prior and new location of the entity transmit information to the occupancy database to reflect the changed location for the entity. The occupancy database also maintains communication data for the entities and/or locations associated with the entities, and the occupancy database may share that communication data with authorized mobile/user computing entities to enable communication between those authorized mobile/user computing entities and the particular entity or devices located at the entity's location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Juan Perez
  • 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: 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: 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: 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