Patents by Inventor Donald E. Crone

Donald E. Crone has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12547967
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for delivery of items can detect its location and the location of targets on item receptacles in order to position the vehicle at a receptacle. The vehicle, in an autonomous mode, can automatically travel between delivery points along a delivery route. A presence sensor on the vehicle can detect ingress and egress from the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is ready to travel to the next delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Donald E. Crone
  • Publication number: 20250182537
    Abstract: Techniques for inspecting a vehicle using a robot and a home base configured to be situated on a vehicle lot are presented. The robot has a vertical dimension that permits the robot to pass under a vehicle on the vehicle lot. The robot includes at least one sensor and is configured to perform actions including: receiving charging at the home base; traversing a distance from the home base to a vehicle present on the vehicle lot; determining an identification of the vehicle; passing under the vehicle; and obtaining sensor data regarding the vehicle. A computer in communication with the robot is configured to perform actions including: receiving the identification of the vehicle and the sensor data from the robot; analyzing the sensor data based on at least comparison data; determining, based on the analyzing, to send an alert regarding the vehicle; and sending the alert regarding the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventor: Donald E. CRONE
  • Patent number: 12254721
    Abstract: Techniques for inspecting a vehicle using a robot and a home base configured to be situated on a vehicle lot are presented. The robot has a vertical dimension that permits the robot to pass under a vehicle on the vehicle lot. The robot includes at least one sensor and is configured to perform actions including: receiving charging at the home base; traversing a distance from the home base to a vehicle present on the vehicle lot; determining an identification of the vehicle; passing under the vehicle; and obtaining sensor data regarding the vehicle. A computer in communication with the robot is configured to perform actions including: receiving the identification of the vehicle and the sensor data from the robot; analyzing the sensor data based on at least comparison data; determining, based on the analyzing, to send an alert regarding the vehicle; and sending the alert regarding the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventor: Donald E. Crone
  • Publication number: 20240070600
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for delivery of items can detect its location and the location of targets on item receptacles in order to position the vehicle at a receptacle. The vehicle, in an autonomous mode, can automatically travel between delivery points along a delivery route. A presence sensor on the vehicle can detect ingress and egress from the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is ready to travel to the next delivery point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Donald E. Crone
  • Patent number: 11803802
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for delivery of items can detect its location and the location of targets on item receptacles in order to position the vehicle at a receptacle. The vehicle, in an autonomous mode, can automatically travel between delivery points along a delivery route. A presence sensor on the vehicle can detect ingress and egress from the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is ready to travel to the next delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Donald E. Crone
  • Publication number: 20220084325
    Abstract: Techniques for inspecting a vehicle using a robot and a home base configured to be situated on a vehicle lot are presented. The robot has a vertical dimension that permits the robot to pass under a vehicle on the vehicle lot. The robot includes at least one sensor and is configured to perform actions including: receiving charging at the home base; traversing a distance from the home base to a vehicle present on the vehicle lot; determining an identification of the vehicle; passing under the vehicle; and obtaining sensor data regarding the vehicle. A computer in communication with the robot is configured to perform actions including: receiving the identification of the vehicle and the sensor data from the robot; analyzing the sensor data based on at least comparison data; determining, based on the analyzing, to send an alert regarding the vehicle; and sending the alert regarding the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventor: Donald E. CRONE
  • Publication number: 20210201249
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for delivery of items can detect its location and the location of targets on item receptacles in order to position the vehicle at a receptacle. The vehicle, in an autonomous mode, can automatically travel between delivery points along a delivery route. A presence sensor on the vehicle can detect ingress and egress from the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is ready to travel to the next delivery point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventor: Donald E. Crone
  • Patent number: 10949792
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for delivery of items can detect its location and the location of targets on item receptacles in order to position the vehicle at a receptacle. The vehicle, in an autonomous mode, can automatically travel between delivery points along a delivery route. A presence sensor on the vehicle can detect ingress and egress from the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is ready to travel to the next delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Donald E. Crone
  • Publication number: 20180189716
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for delivery of items can detect its location and the location of targets on item receptacles in order to position the vehicle at a receptacle. The vehicle, in an autonomous mode, can automatically travel between delivery points along a delivery route. A presence sensor on the vehicle can detect ingress and egress from the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is ready to travel to the next delivery point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventor: Donald E. Crone