Patents by Inventor Robert E. Dixon

Robert E. Dixon 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).

  • Publication number: 20240078503
    Abstract: Systems and methods of creating, managing, and distributing supplemental content associated with items in a distribution network. A physical delivery item can be imaged and associated with additional content generated or associated with the sender of the physical delivery item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Carrie Ann Bornitz, Robert E. Dixon, JR., Ryan M. Luckay
  • Patent number: 11907891
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and implementing a household customer database are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for processing items comprises receiving a first item to be delivered and identifying data corresponding to one or more of a source information and destination information of the first item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Naomi Miller
  • Patent number: 11887205
    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: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Ryan M. Luckay, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., James E. Lee, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20240029008
    Abstract: A method, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium for delivering supplemental physical and/or electronic content in association with a physical delivery item. Various embodiments include operations for receiving tracking data regarding a delivery item, determining, based on the tracking data, whether supplemental content is associated with the delivery item, and automatically scheduling delivery of the supplemental content when supplemental content is associated with the delivery item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Chandra A. BRIGGMAN, Jane Elizabeth QUENK, Timothy M. MORAN, Thomas J. FOTI, Robert E. DIXON, JR.
  • Patent number: 11836668
    Abstract: Systems and methods of creating, managing, and distributing supplemental content associated with items in a distribution network. A physical delivery item can be imaged and associated with additional content generated or associated with the sender of the physical delivery item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Carrie Ann Bornitz, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Ryan M. Luckay
  • Publication number: 20230376882
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering items are disclosed. The systems and methods comprise assigning a unique internal control value to each profile having an identified physical address delivery point. They also receive a request for delivery point information for each of a plurality of items to be distributed and providing a response comprising a list of internal control values thereto. They further receive a plurality of items, each item having printed thereon one of the internal control values on the list. For each of the plurality of items, they scan, by item processing equipment, the item to read the internal control value printed thereon, identifying, in the profile database, the physical address delivery point corresponding to the assigned internal control value, routing, by the item processing equipment, the item according to the identified physical address delivery point, and delivering the item to the identified physical address delivery point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Robert E. Dixon, JR., Gary C. Reblin, Naomi Miller
  • Publication number: 20230367758
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel M. Bentley, Robert E. Dixon, JR., Ryan M. Luckay
  • Patent number: 11797913
    Abstract: A method, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium for delivering supplemental physical and/or electronic content in association with a physical delivery item. Various embodiments include operations for receiving tracking data regarding a delivery item, determining, based on the tracking data, whether supplemental content is associated with the delivery item, and automatically scheduling delivery of the supplemental content when supplemental content is associated with the delivery item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Chandra A. Briggman, Jane Elizabeth Quenk, Timothy M. Moran, Thomas J. Foti, Robert E. Dixon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230267408
    Abstract: A receptacle for detecting delivery and retrieval events has a door sensor, an item sensor, a scanner, and a control unit for operating the sensors, and transmitting the sensor information for processing and analysis. A system can determine whether an event was a delivery or retrieval event based on sensor information and item tracking information. A system can further include an item configured to interact with a computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Robert E. Dixon, Ryan Luckay
  • Patent number: 11734249
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Daniel M. Bentley, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Ryan M. Luckay
  • Patent number: 11699126
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and implementing an anonymized delivery point processing system are disclosed. Anonymous addresses can be associated with actual physical delivery points. An item having an anonymous address thereon can be sorted and/or routed on item processing equipment based on the associated actual physical delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Gary C. Reblin, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Naomi Miller
  • Publication number: 20230214760
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and implementing a household customer database are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for processing items comprises receiving a first item to be delivered and identifying data corresponding to one or more of a source information and destination information of the first item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey, Robert E. Dixon, JR., Naomi Miller
  • Patent number: 11694148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering items are disclosed. The systems and methods comprise assigning a unique internal control value to each profile having an identified physical address delivery point. They also receive a request for delivery point information for each of a plurality of items to be distributed and providing a response comprising a list of internal control values thereto. They further receive a plurality of items, each item having printed thereon one of the internal control values on the list. For each of the plurality of items, they scan, by item processing equipment, the item to read the internal control value printed thereon, identifying, in the profile database, the physical address delivery point corresponding to the assigned internal control value, routing, by the item processing equipment, the item according to the identified physical address delivery point, and delivering the item to the identified physical address delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Gary C. Reblin, Naomi Miller
  • Publication number: 20230206165
    Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous item delivery and/or pick up are provided. IN some aspects, a mothership travels along an item route. One or more autonomous delivery vehicles may be dispatched from the mothership as the mothership progresses along the route. Each of the autonomous delivery vehicles may deliver and/or pick-up one or more items at one or more item locations. In addition, as the mothership progresses along its route, it may also stop to facilitate the manual delivery and/or pick-up of additional items via a human operator. Upon completing their delivery and/or pick up tasks, the autonomous delivery vehicles return to the mothership, either at the point at which they dispatched from the mothership, or at a different location along the item delivery route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan Luckay, Robert E. Dixon, JR., Gregory Cooil
  • Publication number: 20230107700
    Abstract: Systems and methods for universal item returns. A universal returns systems allows a user the ability to return an item via a distribution network whether the item was purchased at a retail location, delivered by the distribution network, or delivered by another entity. The universal returns system comprises a user interface a return request. Based on the return request, the system obtains transaction information, provides a return code, and allows scheduling item pick-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Jay Klausner, Robert E. Dixon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230109266
    Abstract: Autonomous delivery drop points for delivery of an item are provided. The autonomous delivery drop points can include a proxy sensor to communicate information related to the autonomous delivery drop point to an autonomous delivery vehicle. The autonomous delivery drop points can include a delivery inlet configured to accept the item. The autonomous delivery drop points can include a storage receptacle configured to store the item until the item is retrieved by the owner of the item. The autonomous delivery drop points can include an attachment member coupled to the item. The autonomous delivery drop points can include a hook configured to couple to the attachment member to accept the item, wherein the hook comprises the proxy sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan M. Luckay, Robert E. Dixon, JR., Gregory Cooil
  • Publication number: 20230091390
    Abstract: A system and method of verifying the identity of a user or registrant. The user or registrant provides identification information and registration information. The identification information may be a visual representation of an identifying item associated with location information. In some embodiments, the identification information may be a visual representation of a government issued identity. An identification module verifies the identification information and compares the verified identification information to the registration information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Nan K. McKenzie, William A. Tartal, Victoria K. Stephen, Michael J. Amato, William G. Ackerman, Robert E. Dixon, Daniel W. Smith, Gregory Crabb, Paul Anthony Bernicchi
  • Publication number: 20230073841
    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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan M. Luckay, Robert E. Dixon, JR., James E. Lee, SR.
  • Patent number: 11587016
    Abstract: A method, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided for receiving a request to display a calendar associated with a delivery point of a user, accessing shipment information associated with the user, the shipment information including a record of physical delivery items and electronic delivery items, and displaying, for each day on the calendar, a count of the physical delivery items and electronic delivery items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Chandra A. Briggman, Jane Elizabeth Quenk, Timothy M. Moran, Kelley A. Sullivan, Robert E. Dixon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11580488
    Abstract: A receptacle for detecting delivery and retrieval events has a door sensor, an item sensor, a scanner, and a control unit for operating the sensors, and transmitting the sensor information for processing and analysis. A system can determine whether an event was a delivery or retrieval event based on sensor information and item tracking information. A system can further include an item configured to interact with a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Robert E. Dixon, Ryan Luckay