Abstract: Generating authentication credentials includes receiving from a first user input identifying a customer identifier for an online account with a business or organization and a residential or business physical address, and sending via a network a notification to a first user system to follow instructions on a mail piece to be received by the first user. The mail piece is physically sent via a distribution network to the physical address and an online application is activated in response to scanning a coded indicia on the mail piece. Data indicative of an identity of the first user is received and the identity of the first user is verified based on at least information associated with the coded indicia and the received data. A recommendation is generated whether to approve the online account and an electronic credential is created for the first user based on acceptance of the online account.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for reading a barcode independently of image resolution or scale of a captured barcode image. In one embodiment, the system includes an optical sensor and a processor. The optical scanner can scan a barcode, including a plurality of bars and spaces, into a scanned image. The processor can convert the scanned image into binary data. The processor can also calculate numbers of ones (1s) between zeros (0s) in the binary data and determine widths of one of i) each of the bars and ii) each of the spaces based on the calculated numbers of ones (1s). The processor can further calculate numbers of zeros (0s) between ones (1s) in the binary data and determine widths of the other one of i) each of the bars and ii) each of the spaces based on the calculated numbers of zeros (0s).

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.

Abstract: Techniques for tracking an evacuation of a location in an environment that utilizes physical tokens to prove physical presence at the location are presented. The techniques include receiving data representing of subordinates of an evacuation facilitator; receiving physical token based location status information for at least one of the subordinates, where the physical token based location status information is based on electronic readings of the physical tokens; determining based on the physical token based location status information, a physical presence status at the location for the at least one of the subordinates; receiving evacuation status information for each of the at least one of the subordinates that has a physical presence status that indicates a presence at the location; and recording the evacuation status information for each of the at least one of the subordinates that has a physical presence status that indicates a presence at the location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for extracting a region of interest from a captured image of an item. The system may include a reader configured to capture an image of an item having a computer readable code positioned thereon. The system may also include a processor in data communication with the reader and configured to generate captured image data, the captured data comprising binary image data and identify a first pixel region representing the computer readable code from the binarized image data. The processor may be further configured to remove a second pixel region other than the first pixel region from the binarized image data and store or process only first binarized image data representing the first pixel region.

Abstract: A lock can include attack-resistant and/or weather-resistant features. Attack-resistant features can include a sacrificial link between a locking mechanism and an external keyway covering an exterior face of the locking mechanism. The sacrificial link can break during a torque attack on the lock such that the full force of the torque attack is not applied to the locking mechanism. Weather-resistant features can include drain openings in one or more housing components external to the locking mechanism to facilitate drainage of liquid matter from the lock before the liquid matter reaches the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for item processing. The systems can include a PASS module that can include features that receive inputs relating to an item for processing and provide those inputs to other components and/or modules of a PASS system and/or of another system. The PASS system can include a variety of modules, including the PASS module, and can collect information and/or inputs from the variety of modules of the PASS system and use that information in item processing. The methods of item processing can use the PASS system and the PASS module to perform a variety of functions including, for example, revenue protection, sorting of items, task management, sampling and data collection, redirecting if enroute items, and personnel management.

Abstract: This application relates to a system for compressing captured images. The system may include an image capturing device configured to continuously capture images, for example, of a location, or frame, or field of view, and convert the captured images respectively into a plurality of sets of digital data, each of the plurality of sets of digital data including at least two consecutive rows of digital data. The system may also include a processor circuit configured to combine the at least two sets of the plurality of sets of digital data to generate a pre-compression set of digital data and simultaneously compress the pre-compression set of digital data simultaneously or together in a single compression operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for extracting a computer readable code from a captured image of a mailpiece or parcel using downsampling and edge detection. The system can include a reader configured to capture an image of an item having a computer readable code positioned thereon and a processor in data communication with the reader. The processor can generate captured image data of the item including the computer readable code, downconvert the captured image data to generate a downconverted image data and detect an edge of the computer readable code. The processor can also identify a position of the computer readable code in the downconverted image data and store or process only the identified computer readable code.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing device efficiency by monitoring and replacing batteries. The system includes a mobile computing device and a data repository, where the data repository is configured to detect a unique device identification, a unique battery identification, a geographic location of the device, and battery information such as the current life of the battery and the number of times the battery has been charged. The mobile computing device in the system communicates the data repository to a processor. The processor calculates when a new battery is needed and the system ships a replacement battery to the facility closest to the location of the device.

Abstract: A monitoring device can include one or more sensors, and a processor, operably connected to the one or more sensors, configured to execute computer-readable instructions that cause the processor to perform operations including detecting sensor data from the one or more sensors. The sensor data can be collected as the monitoring device is in transit in a transport system for delivery items. The operations can also include detecting a malfunctioning component in the transport system based on the sensor data, and transmitting a maintenance indicator to a control system of the transport system, wherein the maintenance indicator identifies the malfunctioning component.

Abstract: A lock can include a motor assembly, a gear assembly, and an unlocking assembly. The motor assembly can include a motor and a drive shaft. The gear assembly can include a cam, a pinion gear, and a pinion. The pinion gear can include a plurality of teeth disposed along only a portion of a perimeter of the pinion gear. The pinion gear can be configured to engage the pinion. The pinion can be configured to translate laterally to release a biasing member to unlock a door of a container.

Abstract: A method and system of providing material based on a user-initiated request utilizing an electronic database includes receiving search keywords to conduct a search and accessing a first database having previously stored contact information for the particular user in an initial table record. The method includes transforming data in the fields of the record for the particular user in the initial table to generate a record in a sanitized table, accessing a second electronic database having previously stored data structures corresponding to businesses, where each data structure maps selected keyword combinations to corresponding icons, and to particular material corresponding to each keyword combination, and displaying icons associated with search results having corresponding selected keywords near associated result items on an electronic display.

Abstract: A management system for managing the utilization of item receptacles in a distribution network. Items can be transferred to recipients at a limited number of item receptacles in unit delivery facilities of the distribution network. Item retrieval behavior is tracked to determine a recipient score for known recipients. Based on the recipient scores, subsequent items to be transferred can be placed in a receptacle or a storage area based on the associated recipient score. Placement in receptacles can be prioritized to recipients with low scores indicating that the item will likely be retrieved quickly, while items addressed to recipients with high scores may not be placed into a receptacle if receptacles are scarce.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering an item to a mobile delivery receptacle are disclosed. A method of delivering an item to a mobile delivery receptacle can include receiving from a mobile delivery receptacle a location of the mobile delivery receptacle. Based on a cross-referencing credential, the method can include verifying the location of the mobile delivery receptacle. The method may include identifying a mobile delivery unit and determining a position of the mobile delivery unit. The method can include calculating a delivery route from the position of the mobile delivery unit to the mobile delivery receptacle and passing the location of the delivery resource and the delivery route to the mobile delivery unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for towing, hitching, and connecting devices are described. An autonomous guided vehicle includes an automated hitch capable of connecting to a variety of types of containers.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for using a mobile device to assist with the efficient and secure delivery of item. The mobile device can assist an item deliver to lock or unlock secure item delivery receptacles. The mobile device can also notify an item deliverer about particular delivery conditions associated with particular delivery endpoints. The mobile device can further help the item deliverer to determine whether or not he or she is delivering the item to the correct location.