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: 8401976
    Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a barcode image. A client is operable to create a request for a barcode image and send the request to a server. The request comprises data to be converted to a barcode. The server is operable to receive the request from the client via a network, generate a barcode image from the data, and encode the barcode image. Thereafter, the server provides the encoded image to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Kyle M. Dixon, Stephen M. Dearing
  • Publication number: 20130024326
    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 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Kuldip K. Goyal, Gary C. Reblin, Margaret L. Choiniere
  • Publication number: 20130008951
    Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Jeffrey L. Freeman, Michael Lyons, Stephen M. Dearing, Margaret Lousie Choineire, Daryl S. Hamilton, Himesh Patel, Carla Fern Sherry, David James Payne
  • Publication number: 20130013102
    Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Jeffrey L. Freeman, Michael Lyons, Stephen M. Dearing, Margaret Louise Choineire, Daryl S. Hamilton, Himesh Patel, Carla Fern Sherry, David James Payne
  • Publication number: 20130013101
    Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece. Systems and methods can use intelligent barcodes allow mailers more visibility into the mail stream and information on the quality of their mailings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Jeffrey L. Freeman, Michael Lyons, Stephen M. Dearing, Margaret Lousie Choineire, Daryl S. Hamilton, Himesh Patel, Carla Fern Sherry, David James Payne
  • Publication number: 20130008949
    Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: United States Postal Services
    Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Jeffrey L. Freeman, Michael Lyons, Stephen M. Dearing, Margaret Lousie Choiniere, Daryl S. Hamilton, Himesh Patel, Carla Fern Sherry, David James Payne
  • Patent number: 8165909
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for electronically managing an address database such as AMS, and more particularly a system and method for automatically managing an address database through the use of a web-based application. Moreover, embodiments of the invention manage an address database, such as AMS, by comparing data in the address database with data collected from mailpieces during sorting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Publication number: 20120011068
    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: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Carla F. Sherry
  • Patent number: 7801925
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically correcting uncoded addresses include collecting uncoded addresses in an uncoded address database, sorting uncoded addresses by postal code, automatically emailing delivery personnel to notify them they have records to resolve, limiting personnel's access to various postal codes, correcting and/or adjusting the address, determining whether the corrected address delivery point validates, and if no match can be made after correcting and/or adjusting the address, sending the address to a delivery unit with Delivery Force Knowledge™ to correct the address and return the correction for delivery point validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, David J. Payne, James D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100230328
    Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Clayton Bonnell, Jeffrey L. Freeman, Michael Lyons, Stephen M. Dearing, Margaret Louise Choiniere, Daryl S. Hamilton, Himesh Patel, Carla Fern Sherry, David James Payne
  • Patent number: 7669764
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reconciling data associated with delivery items, such as mail. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method reconciles data associated with a delivery item shipment. The method includes the steps of receiving a first set of data associated with the shipment, and electronically receiving a second set of data associated with the shipment. The method further includes the steps of scanning the shipment during processing for scanned data associated with the shipment and determining if the first set of data matches the second set of data. If the first or second set of data matches the second set of data, the method determines if the second set of data matches the scanned data. If the first or second set of data matches the scanned data, the method indicates both the first set of data and the second set of data as valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, Gerald J. Jamula
  • Patent number: 7664653
    Abstract: Systems and methods for correcting addresses to contain a code representing a delivery segment (ZIP+4™ code) within a defined geographic location (ZIP Code™) include determining whether the address is already matched with a ZIP+4™ code and contains a valid delivery point. Further, if a match the address cannot be made, the systems and method may correct or adjust the address and check if a match can be made after correcting and/or adjusting the address. If no match can be made after correcting and/or adjusting, the systems and methods may send the address to a district office and/or delivery unit to determine the ZIP+4™ code and the delivery point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing