Patents Assigned to United States Postal Service
  • System and method of unloading a container of items
    Patent number: 10737298
    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: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    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
  • Method and system for item authentication and customization
    Patent number: 10730337
    Abstract: A method of illuminating an item is disclosed. The method includes applying adhesive to the item, interspersing a taggant in the adhesive, illuminating the item with an excitation signal, sensing luminescence emitted by the taggant in response to illumination by the excitation signal, and determining the authenticity of the item based on the sensed emitted luminescence. The item can include any item benefited by authentication, and can include a postage stamp. A method of customizing an item is disclosed. This can include the steps of preparing a substrate, applying a security feature to the substrate, printing non-customized information on the substrate, receiving image information, and printing the image information on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Khalid Hussain, Marie Therese Dominguez, David E. Failor, William G. Ackerman
  • System and method of automatic feeder stack management
    Patent number: 10723577
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley Houston Mayhall, III, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Long K. Ha
  • Systems, devices, and methods for sorting items
    Patent number: 10722921
    Abstract: Sorting systems and methods for large quantities of items in industrial processes are described. The systems, devices and methods are for receiving, sorting and removing items dynamically. A first group of items, such as letters or other mail pieces, are injected by a belt into a pocket to a form a first stack, and a divider is extended near the first stack. The divider allows for a second group of items to either be injected to form a second stack behind the divider, or to be diverted and injected into another pocket. The first stack can be removed while the second group is being injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Christopher M. Stratton, Gregory J. Smith, Thomas C. Potter
  • Method for sorting residual letters and flats to carrier route segments using two passes on a machine with intermediate staging
    Patent number: 10717112
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and delivering articles in a processing facility. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter. The second sorter sorts items for each stop group into trays based on carrier route segments. A manifest is created that comprises a list of the items in a tray. A mobile computing device alerts a delivery carrier when there is an item that needs to be delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Thomas J. Foti, David E. Loyd, Sarvang D. Shah
  • Method and system for item authentication and customization
    Patent number: 10710395
    Abstract: A method of intimating an item is disclosed. The method includes applying adhesive to the item, interspersing a taggant in the adhesive, illuminating the item with an excitation signal, sensing luminescence emitted by the taggant in response to illumination by the excitation signal, and determining the authenticity of the item based on the sensed emitted luminescence. The item can include any item benefited by authentication, and can include a postage stamp. A method of customizing an item is disclosed. This can include the steps of preparing a substrate, applying a security feature to the substrate, printing non-customized information on the substrate, receiving image information, and printing the image information on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Khalid Hussain, Marie Therese Dominguez, David E. Failor, William G. Ackerman
  • Transport equipment label bracket
    Patent number: 10692405
    Abstract: A transport equipment label bracket that can be used during tracking and/or locating of delivery item(s) (e.g. mail) positioned on delivery-item transport equipment such as a delivery-item transport cart. The bracket can have positioned thereon a permanent first identifier and a permanent second identifier, wherein the second identifier includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. The bracket can further include a placard mount for temporarily positioning a placard such as a delivery-item transport equipment label. The placard and either/both of the first identifier and the second identifier can be scanned to associate or conjoin the placard with the RFID chip as represented in a computerized delivery-item-tracking system. Thereafter, the RFID chip can be scanned to identify a location of the placard and thus the location of the delivery-item transport cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventor: Clayton C. Bonnell
  • Sensor enabled location awareness system
    Patent number: 10685193
    Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying wearable tags or other items within a facility. The location of the identifiable item can be calculated by the system and used to improve the efficiency of the facility or to dispatch emergency help or maintenance to the location of the badge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Shahpour Ashaari, David C. Lin, Seth S. Vasa, Scott R. Bombaugh, Mario Andre Salisbury, Thomas Jay Graham, Erich Joseph Petre
  • Systems and methods for sorting residual items
    Patent number: 10682672
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and delivering articles in a processing facility. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter. The second sorter sorts items for each stop group into trays based on carrier route segments. A manifest is created that comprises a list of the items in a tray. A mobile computing device alerts a delivery carrier when there is an item that needs to be delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Thomas J. Foti, David E. Loyd, Sarvang D. Shah
  • Trackable postage
    Patent number: 10685317
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, devices, and computer-implemented methods for tracking delivery items associated with a postal tracking product that includes a tracking bar code and a serial number. The tracking bar code can be attached to a delivery item and mailed. The delivery item can be processed by a delivery processing system, which can capture an image of the delivery item and the tracking bar code, and can extract a tracking number from the tracking bar code. The delivery processing system can report information on the location of the delivery item using the tracking number, and an indication of the location can be provided to a user that enters the serial number into a tracking interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey, Markes Lucius, Matthew J. Mazzola
  • Self-weighing container
    Patent number: 10670451
    Abstract: A self-weighing container for transporting delivery items includes a weight-sensing device that is configured to sense a weight of a delivery item that is placed inside the container; a microcontroller that is connected to the weight-sensing device; and a display that is connected to the microcontroller. When a delivery item is placed in the container, the weight-sensing device produces a signal that corresponds to the weight of the delivery item and the microcontroller receives the signal and determines the weight of the delivery item based on the signal. The microcontroller may transmit an indication of the weight to the display, which displays the weight based on the indication of the weight, or the microcontroller may transmit the weight to a smart phone for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Robert Eugene Dixon, Jr., S M Elias Farhad, Ryan Murray Luckay
  • System and method of sorting and sequencing items
    Patent number: 10668505
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and sequencing articles in a processing facility are disclosed. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter in stop group order. The second sorter sorts items for each stop group into separate lanes. Each lane can then be sorted into output bins in delivery sequence order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Scott R. Bombaugh
  • High-strength lock
    Patent number: 10669739
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears, Robert Dalton
  • Systems and methods for creating and using a hybrid-digital mailbox
    Patent number: 10671963
    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: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Chandra A. Briggman, Jane Elizabeth Quenk, Timothy M. Moran, Kelley A. Sullivan, Robert E. Dixon, Jr.
  • Stackable receptacle for the shipment of goods
    Patent number: 10654610
    Abstract: Embodiments of a reusable stackable shipping box are provided herein. The reusable stackable shipping box may be reused and cleaned without causing harm to the integrity of the box. In addition, the box is slightly tapered in shape such that the box may be stacked upon and within other boxes for ease in shipping and organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: James Edward Lee, Sr.
  • Methods and systems for providing and electronic account to a customer
    Patent number: 10659413
    Abstract: An electronic account is provided to a customer to enable the customer to access electronic services, such as e-mail and electronic transactions. The electronic account links an electronic address of the customer to a physical address of the customer. Using the electronic account, electronic services can be provided to the customer at either the electronic or physical address, or both. The services can be both secure and non-secure and can be provided by any service provider, such as an online merchant, a government agency, or a bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leo J. Campbell, Jon L. Cook, Wayne H. Orbke, Christine Ray, Cathy M. Rogerson
  • Beacon enabled distribution items
    Patent number: 10650479
    Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking distribution items using hardware components on or in the distribution items. Shippers and recipients of distribution items can track or locate a distribution item, especially a high value item, if the distribution item is lost, misrouted, or delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Ryan M. Luckay, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Jim E. Lee
  • Methods and systems for secure digital credentials
    Patent number: 10645068
    Abstract: Methods and systems for resetting a digital credential within a digital credential based authentication system. The method includes logging a first administrative user into the digital credential system, receiving, from the first administrative user, a first portion of authentication credentials for a first customer, validating, by the first administrative user using the digital credential system, the first portion, logging a second administrative user into the digital credential system, receiving, from the second administrative user, a second portion of authentication credentials for the first customer, receiving the second portion by the second administrative user, validating, by the second administrative user using the digital credential system, the second portion; and resetting the authentication credentials based on the validation of the first portion and second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton C Bonnell, Kelley A Sullivan
  • System and method for providing real-time tracking of items in a distribution network
    Patent number: 10628794
    Abstract: Systems and methods of processing items. Items in a distribution network or process may be scanned at every handling point in the distribution network, and each scan is recorded in a central repository. The scan information can be used to generate real-time access to data, analytical tools, predictive tools, and tracking reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Carla F. Sherry, Amy B. Cradic, C. Scot Atkins, Himesh A. Patel
  • Item tracking using a dynamic region of interest
    Patent number: 10621457
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring items in a defined physical area can include a primary camera configured to detect a region of interest within a defined physical area and the coordinates of the region of interest in the defined physical area. A plurality of secondary cameras can positioned throughout a defined physical area. One of the secondary cameras can be selected to capture an image of a region of interest based on the coordinates of the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Todd M. Schimmel