Patents by Inventor Mark J. Davidson

Mark J. Davidson 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: 10607423
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a systems and methods for assessing turns made by one or more vehicles. According to various embodiments, the system is configured to identify, based telematics data captured from the vehicles, turns executed by the vehicle during a particular time period. The system is further configured to analyze the identified turns to determine and display various turn segment attributes to a user in order to provide an indication of turns having an abnormal or excessive duration and/or to provide overall efficiency-indicative information relating to the vehicle turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10569934
    Abstract: A portable bag is provided, comprising: a plurality of surfaces configured to define an interior compartment, the surfaces including a front and rear surface connected by a pair of side surfaces; at least two handling extensions, a respective each of said at least two handling extensions being positioned adjacent to and extending outwardly relative to a respective one of said pair of side surfaces, and at least two handling openings, said at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of said at least two handling extensions. An associated assembly is also provided, including the portable bag further comprising a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces and the assembly further comprising a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10563999
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fleet management system configured for capturing and evaluating vehicle telematics data, such as data captured from one or more vehicle telematics devices indicative of one or more vehicle dynamics, and service data, such as data captured from one or more portable data acquisition devices indicative of one or more service dynamics. In certain embodiments, the fleet management system is configured to associate captured vehicle telematics data with captured service data based on the contextual attributes of each, such as the time, date, and location of data capture. By synching the vehicle telematics data to the service data, the operational data can be uniquely assessed for various operational efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10540830
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Davidson, John A. Olsen, III
  • Publication number: 20190385386
    Abstract: Apparatus, device, methods and system relating to a vehicular telemetry environment for monitoring vehicle components and providing indications towards the rating condition of the vehicle components and providing optimal indications towards replacement or maintenance of vehicle components before vehicle component failure are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Publication number: 20190385387
    Abstract: Apparatus, device, methods and system relating to a vehicular telemetry environment for monitoring vehicle components and providing indications towards the rating condition of the vehicle components and providing optimal indications towards replacement or maintenance of vehicle components before vehicle component failure are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Publication number: 20190385382
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for estimating taxes. In one embodiment, the location of a vehicle can be monitored by a variety of computing entities. By using the vehicle's location, it can be determined when the vehicle enters and/or exits defined geofences. After a determination that the vehicle has entered or exited a defined geofenced area, telematics data can be collected and used to estimate taxes, such as road use taxes and fuel use taxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Mark J. DAVIDSON
  • Publication number: 20190385385
    Abstract: Apparatus, device, methods and system relating to a vehicular telemetry environment for monitoring vehicle components and providing indications towards the effective remaining life condition of the vehicle components and providing optimal indications towards replacement or maintenance of vehicle components before vehicle component failure are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10467580
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating logistics zones. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to generate logistics zones responsive to receipt of a selection of a geographic area. The logistics zones are generated based on street segment attribute data. The logistics zones include a geo-fenced right zone on a right side of corresponding street segments and a geo-fenced left zone on a left side of the street segments. The processor is also configured to determine addresses in the logistics zones based on analyzing the street segment attribute data. The processor is further configured to generate a route for delivery or pickup of packages within the logistics zones based on a trace order of the logistics zones specifying a sequential order to travel within the logistics zones responsive to determining a shortest travel path. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10453004
    Abstract: A routing and scheduling computer system that is adapted to define a plurality of geofenced areas and to monitor vehicle activity within each of those areas (e.g., via telematics sensors mounted on vehicles traveling within the areas). The system may be adapted to use information regarding the monitored vehicle activity to estimate: (1) a first amount of time associated with the delivery of a plurality of parcels to one or more respective locations within a first one of the geofenced areas; and (2) a second amount of time associated with the delivery of a plurality of parcels to one or more respective locations within a second one of the geofenced areas. The system may then route a particular vehicle to make one or more pickups or deliveries within the first or second geographic areas based at least in part on the first and second estimates of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Davidson, John A. Olsen, III
  • Publication number: 20190311326
    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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10339724
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for estimating taxes. In one embodiment, the location of a vehicle can be monitored by a variety of computing entities. By using the vehicle's location, it can be determined when the vehicle enters and/or exits defined geofences. After a determination that the vehicle has entered or exited a defined geofenced area, telematics data can be collected and used to estimate taxes, such as road use taxes and fuel use taxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10332064
    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: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10309788
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, computer program products, and apparatuses for determining whether a street segment is a one-way street segment or a bi-directional segment, validating map data, and/or updating map data. In one embodiment, a method for determining whether a street segment is a one-way street segment or a bi-directional segment is provided. The method comprises receiving vehicle telematics data associated with one or more vehicles during one or more time periods, the vehicle telematics data indicating a street segment traveled by the one or more vehicles during the one or more time periods; and based at least in part on the vehicle telematics, determining whether the street segment is a one-way street segment or a bi-directional segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10279960
    Abstract: A portable bag is provided, comprising: a plurality of surfaces; at least two handling openings, the at least two handling openings being integrally defined on at least one of the plurality of surfaces; and an interior liner further defining the interior compartment of the portable bag, the interior liner being positioned intermediate the interior compartment and the plurality of surfaces, at least two portions of the interior liner being inset relative to the plurality of surfaces to define respective cavities substantially aligned with the at least two handling openings. An associated assembly is also provided, including the portable bag further comprising a set of eyelets positioned on each of the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of surfaces and the assembly further comprising a portable bag dispenser comprising at least two portions configured to slidably extend through the set of eyelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Publication number: 20190130665
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Mark J. Davidson, John A. Olsen
  • Patent number: 10277536
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided. In one embodiment, the location of computing entities can be monitored to determine whether they are within a configurable distance from each other. In another embodiment, direct communications with each other can be monitored. The locations or communications can be used to initiate specific actions/steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10267642
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fleet management computer system for assessing vehicle efficiency. According to various embodiments, the fleet management computer system is configured for receiving and assessing vehicle telematics data in order to determine an idle percentage of engine run time value representing the percentage of the vehicle's engine run time during which the vehicle's engine was idling during the one or more time periods. In addition, the fleet management computer system may be configured for assessing vehicle telematics data in order to identify segment of engine idle time and generate a graphical display indicating various attributes of the identified idle time segments. The idle time percentage and idle time segments generated by the system can be used to assess the efficiency of vehicles and/or vehicle operators in an associated fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10229375
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for monitoring recurring activities. In one embodiment, activity data, worker data, and location data can be analyzed to identify segments of interest. The identified segments can then be provided for an interface for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Davidson, Christopher T. Schenken
  • Patent number: 10192370
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a fleet management system is provided for capturing, storing, and analyzing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. The fleet management system may be used, for example, by a shipping entity (e.g., a common carrier) to capture telematics data from a plurality of vehicle sensors located on various delivery vehicles and to analyze the captured telematics data. In particular, various embodiments of the fleet management system are configured to analyze engine idle data in relation to other telematics data in order to identify inefficiencies, safety hazards, and theft hazards in a driver's delivery process. The fleet management system may also be configured to assess various aspects of vehicle performance, such as vehicle travel delays and vehicle speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Davidson, John A. Olsen, III