Patents Examined by George Chen
  • 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: 11151481
    Abstract: A system capable of associating tickets with an account to provide ticketless entry to an event. The system may verify that a user is associated with the account using far field verification techniques, such as using facial recognition or by detecting wireless signals. The system 100 may improve a user experience by simplifying the process of entering the event, as the far field verification techniques do not require direct interaction with the user. As a result, the user may access the event without stopping at the entrance to provide proof of purchase (e.g., a physical or electronic ticket, bar code, etc.), proof of identification (e.g., driver's license, passport, biometric scans, etc.) and/or other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Sun, Ian W Freed, Joseph Hopkins, Patrick R Schultz
  • Patent number: 11144848
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for parking space routing. For example, parking data for a parking region, such as a parking lot, may be obtained from one or more data sources (e.g., vehicle sensor data, a parking lot camera, parking meter transaction data, etc.). Routes from a current location of a vehicle to available parking spaces within the parking region may be computed. The routes may be ranked based upon various criteria, such as convenience, congestion, travel time, travel distance, a parking space fill order, etc. A route, having a rank above a threshold (e.g., a highest ranked route), may be provided to a driver of the vehicle, such as through a vehicle navigation unit, a mobile device, a wearable device, etc. The route may be provided to autonomous driving functionality of the vehicle for automatic routing and navigation of the vehicle to the parking space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: INRIX Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Eugene Gold Friedman, Alexander David Israel, Keith Matthew Hackbarth
  • Patent number: 11138546
    Abstract: A blockchain function may include one or more of receiving a last observed location identifier for a product identified via a product tag associated with the product, determining whether the last observed location identifier was received from a trusted source device, and storing the last observed location identifier in a blockchain with a confirmed status responsive to determining the last observed location identifier was received from the trusted source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas T. Hanis, Bruce H. Hyre, Jessica G. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11138550
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an illustrative no-touch mail processing system may include a return mail processor (RMP) computer programed to receive a print file request of a customer; wherein the print file request was utilized to print mail pieces based on a print file comprised within the print file request; an image processing machine at the RMP configured to associate, in a no-touch manner, a returned mail piece based on the print file from the customer and an identification indicia on the returned mail piece; and a return mail processing machine (RMPM) at the RMP configured to utilize other information, that is not visible on the returned mail piece or through a send window of the returned mail piece, to cause a returned mail activity to be performed, in the no-touch manner, with the returned mail piece in accordance to a rule of the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Fagan
  • Patent number: 11126934
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving from a first computing device associated with a first user, a request to register a group trip comprising at least one trip item, the request including parameters for the group trip, and receiving authorization from a second computing device associated with a second user to be included in the group trip. The systems and method further providing for receiving from the first computing device, a request to book a trip item for the group trip, approving the request to book the trip item for the group trip based on determining that the trip item meets the parameters for the group trip, and automatically charging a payment device associated with the first user and a payment device associated with the second user according to the parameters related to the group trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Airbnb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lex Neal Bayer, James Joseph Beshara, Jonathan Paul Golden, Khaled A. Hussein, Mai Leduc, Gabriel Schuyler Westmaas, Johann Kevin Nicolas Camille Max Kerbrat
  • Patent number: 11120389
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods and systems for initiating shipment of a connected shipment/item via a computing entity. The computing entity detects the presence of a shipment/item within a communication range of the computing entity based on received wireless communications, and initializes executable instructions upon detection of the electronically connected shipment/item to initiate shipment of the shipment/item. The executable instructions cause the computing entity to store a shipment identifier for the shipment/item, request and store shipment information/data from a user for the shipment/item, and transmit the stored shipment/item information/data and the stored shipment identifier to a carrier computing entity to generate a shipment profile for the shipment/item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Gillen
  • Patent number: 11120487
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to which a mobile application is running on a driver's mobile device for authenticating ride share drivers. When a driver initially registers with a rideshare service, the driver is prompted to provide biometric information via a mobile app running on the driver's mobile device. The biometric information is then stored in a database with a ride share management server in a file associated with the driver's account. Subsequently, when the driver expresses an offer to provide a ride share trip, the server performs an authentication check based on the pre-stored biometric information. Furthermore, the system discloses herein facilitates increased rideshare revenue generation by creating referral chains for a driver when a previously-registered driver, or an affiliate of the rideshare service refers a proposed new driver to the rideshare service and the proposed new driver then registers with the rideshare service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: YUR DRIVERS NETWORK, INC.
    Inventors: Louis Frank Paulucci, Julio Antonio Colon
  • Patent number: 11107063
    Abstract: A system, mobile device, backend server, and RFID toll module work in cooperation to automatically pay vehicular tolls to a toll agency that operates toll stations along a roadways travelled by the user of the mobile device. Upon approaching a toll station the mobile device enables the RFID toll module. The toll reader at the toll station transmits a toll reader signal that is received by the RFID toll module, which responds by transmitting a unique identifier. The unique identifier is associated with the mobile device at a toll account maintained by a toll service backend server. Upon completion of a toll transaction, the RFID toll module indicates the transaction to the mobile device, which forwards toll transaction information to the toll service backend server for payment from the toll account to the toll agency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: GeoToll, Inc.
    Inventors: Wyatt Drake Geist, Jaime Andres Borras
  • Patent number: 11107148
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present application provide a packing system for an order fulfillment process. The packing system may include a scanner for scanning a barcode to retrieve a product identifier that is used to look up an order in a package database. A packager may package the product and a scale may weigh the packaged product. Using the weight from the scale and the order information from the package database, postage information for the packaged product may be retrieved from a postage database. One or more labels for the product may be printed based on the postage information and the order information, and the labels may be affixed to the packaged product. A workstation may display an interface providing an overview of the process, a time required to perform the steps in the process, and any errors associated with steps in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: America's Collectibles Network, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Willard, III, Mahendra Satrasala, Lei Cao, Dustin Cole, Shannon Meade, Matthew Cardwell
  • Patent number: 11100433
    Abstract: A method for the optimized use of a parking area. Vehicles which are to be parked on the parking area are each assigned a parking space, the vehicles navigating to the respective assigned parking space, in particular autonomously. Furthermore, vehicles may carry out a change of the parking space in order to enable an improved use of the available parking area or a faster availability of the vehicle, whereby overall an optimized use of the parking area is achieved. Initially, an available range of the respective vehicles is ascertained, and the assignment of the respective parking space and/or a possible change of the parking space are made dependent on the available range of the individual vehicles. The available range of a vehicle is in particular described by a residual fuel amount or a charge state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Voelz, Christian Heigele, Holger Mielenz, Michael Scherl, Philipp Lehner
  • Patent number: 11100601
    Abstract: Vehicle dispatch system includes upper stage unit, lower stage unit and interface communication unit. The upper stage unit, configured to generate vehicle schedules, is communicatively connected to the interface communication unit. The lower stage unit, communicatively connected to the upper stage unit and the interface communication unit, has two storage units and a control unit. The first storage unit stores in a state representation multiple possible states having multiple possible actions. The control unit, which receives the schedule as a state representation, is configured to simulate states during an episode by selecting a state action and determining a reward value. The second storage unit stores the reward value and has a policy linked to one possible action for each state. The interface communication unit, operable to receive and transmit vehicle communications, is configured to access the policy and its associated action and communicate the action to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Petroff
  • Patent number: 11093867
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products associated with a flight search engine for searching itineraries between an origin and a destination on a given date, according to a predefined display policy. Available routes may be filtered according to a first set of predefined criteria associated with the routes. The filtered available routes may be ranked according to a second set of predefined criteria. Itineraries may be constructed that are associated with the filtered available routes. The constructed itineraries may be filtered according to a third set of predefined criteria, and the filtered itineraries may be ranked according to a fourth set of predefined criteria. Historical booking data regarding previously booked itineraries for future travels may be received and analyzed, and may be taken into in the ranking of the filtered available routes and the filtered itineraries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: AMADEUS S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laure Canis, Marek Herer, Jerome Bertrand, Xavier Janin, Feten Zmerli, Thibaud Andrevon, Thomas Rondepierre
  • Patent number: 11094003
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and product for parking auctions. One method comprises: detecting a parking exit event is about to occur for a vehicle in a parking spot; initiating a real-time auction between relevant drivers that are in a proximity of the parking spot and are searching for parking; selecting a winning bid from one or more bids for the parking spot, wherein the winning driver provided the winning bid; displaying locations over time of the winning driver, whereby the user can track the location of the winning driver; and notifying the user upon the winner driving arriving at the parking spot, whereby the user can vacate the parking spot for the winner driver. Another method comprises while a vehicle is searching for parking, participating, using a mobile device, in an auction for a parking spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: ANAGOG LTD.
    Inventors: Gil Levy, Yaron Aizenbud
  • Patent number: 11087267
    Abstract: A modular vehicle system includes a plurality of vehicle modules with at least one autonomous vehicle module. A request from a user located at a user location specifies a plurality of the vehicle modules. The user location is specified, and a module location is determined for each of the specified vehicle modules. Based on the request, the specified modules are retrieved from the module locations, and assembled into a configured vehicle. The configured vehicle is located at a dispatch location. The configured vehicle is then dispatched from the dispatch location to the user location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: David C. Hatch, Muhammad Farukh Munir, Aaron Francis Colfax Petrik, Darrell L. Suen, Suzanne M Fisi, Ryan James Wyler, Nancy B. Zimmerman, Simone Olivia Harvey, Timothy Roger Ward, Steven J. Wirt, Jennifer Lynn Semien Copeland
  • Patent number: 11080645
    Abstract: A request is received to provide shipping rate information to ship a package from a source location to a destination location. A shipping rate is determined locally in response to the request to ship the package via a third-party carrier without making in response to the request a call to the third-party carrier. The locally determined shipping rate is included in a set of shipping rates returned to a node associated with the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: POPOUT, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Kreuz, Wissam Jarjoui, Subhi Beidas, Lucas Amaral Cunha de Assis
  • Patent number: 11074601
    Abstract: A system that compresses data during neural network training. A memory stores computer executable components and neural network data, and a processor executes computer executable components stored in the memory. An anticipatory value of inventory (VOI) optimization component calculates optimal VOI and prices for immediate-future inventory levels in parallel and writes latest price updates for respective states to a price stack; and a recommendation component provides customized pricing recommendation for a product relative to a unique customer as a function of the latest price updates for respective states to the price stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shivaram Subramanian, Pavithra Harsha, Rajesh Kumar Ravi, Markus R. Ettl
  • Patent number: 11068839
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for selecting a particular eligible transporter for transporting a first good for a first job. An embodiment operates by receiving a request for transporting the good from a pickup location to a delivery location. Thereafter, eligible transporters for transporting the good from the pickup location to a first intermediate location or the delivery location (option one), or from the first intermediate location to a second intermediate location or the delivery location (option two), are identifier. Subsequently, for each eligible transporter, an estimated completion time (ECT) for the transporting of the first good is derived. Based on the ECT for each eligible transporter, a request to transport the good is sent to one of the eligible transporters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Airspace Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Rusnak, Calvin Linford
  • Patent number: 11068835
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to the use of Bluetooth beacons for enhancing delivery tracking. A Bluetooth beacon may be carried by a delivery agent. A ID of the beacon may be detected by one or more sensors. Tracking of the delivery agent may be performed by determining where the ID is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Colin Sims, Jay Winters
  • Patent number: 11071020
    Abstract: Interference costs on virtual radio interfaces can be modeled as a function of loading in a wireless network to estimate changes in spectral efficiency and/or resource availability that would result from a provisioning decision. In one example, this modeling is achieved through cost functions that are developed from historical and/or simulated resource cost data corresponding to the wireless network. The cost data may include interference data, spectral efficiency data, and/or loading data for various links over a common period of time (e.g., a month, a year, etc.), and may be analyzed and/or consolidated to obtain correlations between interference costs and loading on the various links in the network. As an example, a cost function may specify an interference cost on one virtual link as a function of loading on one or more neighboring virtual links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nimal Gamini Senarath, Ho Ting Cheng, Hang Zhang, Alex Stephenne