Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Dearing

Stephen M. Dearing 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: 11978010
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handling a plurality items by using a sorter to receive items and obtain item information and delivery destinations from the items. A run manifest is generated having an item identifier and a destination for each of the plurality of items. The run manifest data is used in a routing module to generate dynamic routes for delivering the plurality of items, and generating a sequence identifier for each of the plurality of items according to the dynamically generated routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, C. Scot Atkins, James DeForrest Wilson, Scott R. Bombaugh, Carla F. Sherry
  • Patent number: 11928648
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking items. A system for tracking an item is configured to scan the item for a computer readable code and convert the computer readable code into a digital identifier associated with the item. The system includes a controller circuit configured to receive authentication information from the mobile computing device, receive a request from the mobile computing device, comprising the digital identifier and a request for information relating to the item. When the memory has the information, the controller circuit obtains the information from the memory and generates an output comprising the digital identifier and the information for display. The output is based on a comparison of a location of the mobile computing device and an expected location of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Rosemarie Bolha, Stephen M. Dearing
  • Publication number: 20240013137
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic routing of delivery resources for delivery of items from a pickup location on or near a first planned route to a delivery location on or near a second planned route. Methods can include identifying a first route and a second route based on the pickup and delivery locations, selecting one of a predetermined plurality of transfer nodes based on the locations of the first and second routes, and sending instructions to resources traveling along the first and second routes to meet and transfer the items at the selected transfer node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Patent number: 11836745
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing content associated with an information item on a distribution item using a computing device. In one aspect a method includes identifying an image of an information item on a distribution item. The method further includes processing, in a processor the image, to generate a data item determined by the information item. The method further includes decoding the data item to determine a set of attributes of the distribution item. The method further includes retrieving content associated with the distribution item using at least one of the attributes in the set of attributes. The method further includes delivering content associated with the distribution item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Gary C. Reblin, Margaret L. Choiniere
  • Publication number: 20230368120
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Patent number: 11803806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic routing of delivery resources for delivery of items from a pickup location on or near a first planned route to a delivery location on or near a second planned route. Methods can include identifying a first route and a second route based on the pickup and delivery locations, selecting one of a predetermined plurality of transfer nodes based on the locations of the first and second routes, and sending instructions to resources traveling along the first and second routes to meet and transfer the items at the selected transfer node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Patent number: 11759827
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Carla F. Sherry
  • Patent number: 11710092
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Publication number: 20230214772
    Abstract: Systems and methods of processing items. Items in a distribution network or process may be scanned at every handling point in the distribution network, and each scan is recorded in a central repository. The scan information can be used to generate real-time access to data, analytical tools, predictive tools, and tracking reports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Carla F. Sherry, Amy B. Cradic, C. Scot Atkins, Himesh A. Patel
  • Publication number: 20230087031
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking items. A system for tracking an item is configured to scan the item for a computer readable code and convert the computer readable code into a digital identifier associated with the item. The system includes a controller circuit configured to receive authentication information from the mobile computing device, receive a request from the mobile computing device, comprising the digital identifier and a request for information relating to the item. When the memory has the information, the controller circuit obtains the information from the memory and generates an output comprising the digital identifier and the information for display. The output is based on a comparison of a location of the mobile computing device and an expected location of the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Rosemarie Bolha, Stephen M. Dearing
  • Patent number: 11593757
    Abstract: Systems and methods of processing items. Items in a distribution network or process may be scanned at every handling point in the distribution network, and each scan is recorded in a central repository. The scan information can be used to generate real-time access to data, analytical tools, predictive tools, and tracking reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Carla F. Sherry, Amy B. Cradic, C. Scot Atkins, Himesh A. Patel
  • Publication number: 20230021053
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handling a plurality items by using a sorter to receive items and obtain item information and delivery destinations from the items. A run manifest is generated having an item identifier and a destination for each of the plurality of items. The run manifest data is used in a routing module to generate dynamic routes for delivering the plurality of items, and generating a sequence identifier for each of the plurality of items according to the dynamically generated routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, C. Scot Atkins, James DeForrest Wilson, Scott R. Bombaugh, Carla F. Sherry
  • Patent number: 11526842
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking items. A system for tracking an item is configured to scan the item for a computer readable code and convert the computer readable code into a digital identifier associated with the item. The system includes a controller circuit configured to receive authentication information from the mobile computing device, receive a request from the mobile computing device, comprising the digital identifier and a request for information relating to the item. When the memory has the information, the controller circuit obtains the information from the memory and generates an output comprising the digital identifier and the information for display. The output is based on a comparison of a location of the mobile computing device and an expected location of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Rosemarie Bolha, Stephen M. Dearing
  • Publication number: 20220366367
    Abstract: A system and method for accurately sort items for delivery and track the delivery of items in an item distribution network using a purpose built confidence event recorder. Items can then be tracked while out for delivery through the use of confidence data recorded by a confidence event recorder carried by an item carrier. Confidence data can be used to accurately record when and where item carriers deliver items and can be used for generating and transmitting an expected delivery window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Publication number: 20220358520
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing content associated with an information item on a distribution item using a computing device. In one aspect a method includes identifying an image of an information item on a distribution item. The method further includes processing, in a processor the image, to generate a data item determined by the information item. The method further includes decoding the data item to determine a set of attributes of the distribution item. The method further includes retrieving content associated with the distribution item using at least one of the attributes in the set of attributes. The method further includes delivering content associated with the distribution item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Gary C. Reblin, Margaret L. Choiniere
  • Patent number: 11468665
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an automated measurement utility are disclosed. Image analysis is used to determine a quantity of items in a stack of items. The quantity of items can be determined further based on item information and location awareness information. The quantity of items can be used to determine resource requirements, predictive workloads, and to improve item processing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Patent number: 11468396
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handling a plurality items by using a sorter to receive items and obtain item information and delivery destinations from the items. A run manifest is generated having an item identifier and a destination for each of the plurality of items. The run manifest data is used in a routing module to generate dynamic routes for delivering the plurality of items, and generating a sequence identifier for each of the plurality of items according to the dynamically generated routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, C. Scot Atkins, James DeForrest Wilson, Scott R. Bombaugh, Carla F. Sherry
  • Publication number: 20220292439
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of a service that allows hard copy and electronic media customers to proactively specify, across a broad range of categories, the hard copy mail and/or electronic media mail that they would or would not like to receive. Embodiments include methods and systems configured to allow customers of delivery services to customize the flow of physical items such as hard copy or other letters or parcels, for delivery or electronic media mail from mailers based on highly specific customer-designated criteria. The delivery service acts as a trusted third party to serve as the intermediary between the recipient of the items and mailers to provide privacy and manage a repository for a customer-selected criteria database. In addition, one embodiment provides verification and/or identification that mail being sent meets the customer's designated criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Carla F. Sherry
  • Publication number: 20220292452
    Abstract: A system and method for accurately tracking the delivery of items in an item distribution network using a purpose built confidence event recorder. An item sorter sorts items for delivery based upon route information and preferences for the delivery. Items are tracked while out for delivery through the use of confidence data recorded by a confidence event recorder carried by an item carrier. The confidence data recorder can that can record GPS and time data, as well as scan barcodes, such as a barcode on an item to be delivered. Confidence data can be used to accurately record when and where item carriers deliver items. The system determines if an actual delivery occurred by comparing the confidence data to previously gathered confidence data. An expected delivery window generation system can be used to generate expected delivery windows for the delivery of new items based on the confidence data recorded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Patent number: 11423419
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing content associated with an information item on a distribution item using a computing device. In one aspect a method includes identifying an image of an information item on a distribution item. The method further includes processing, in a processor the image, to generate a data item determined by the information item. The method further includes decoding the data item to determine a set of attributes of the distribution item. The method further includes retrieving content associated with the distribution item using at least one of the attributes in the set of attributes. The method further includes delivering content associated with the distribution item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Gary C. Reblin, Margaret L. Choiniere