Patents by Inventor Thomas Ramsager

Thomas Ramsager 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: 20230159192
    Abstract: A drone delivery system hub and method for sending for take-off and receiving for landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The drone delivery system hub includes a center shaft frame, a parcel-conveying system supported by the center shaft frame, structural arms coupled to and extending outward from the center shaft frame in a spoke-like configuration, drone-conveying systems each supported by one of the structural arms, and a linking conveyor span. The drone-conveying system conveys the UAVs along a length of a correspond one of the structural arms toward and away from the center shaft frame. The linking conveyor span selectably rotates to different orientations between different pairs of the structural arms, selectively conveying a UAV thereon between any two of the structural arms. The linking conveyor span is located above the parcel-conveying system such for the UAV thereon to deposit and retrieve parcels from the parcel-conveying system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager, Jeff Walp
  • Publication number: 20230053511
    Abstract: An identifier associated with one or more assets is obtained in response to a reader component reading a tag associated with one or more assets as the one or more assets traverse a conveyor apparatus. At least partially in response to the obtaining of the identifier, a storage unit of a plurality of storage units is caused to automatically rotate to a loading location to receive the one or more assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager
  • Patent number: 11492202
    Abstract: An identifier associated with one or more assets is obtained in response to a reader component reading a tag associated with one or more assets as the one or more assets traverse a conveyor apparatus. At least partially in response to the obtaining of the identifier, a storage unit of a plurality of storage units is caused to automatically rotate to a loading location to receive the one or more assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager
  • Patent number: 11445846
    Abstract: An elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, such as delivery drones, is provided. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, such as atop a home or a pole, a drone is more capable of making deliveries because it avoids obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. The elevated delivery platform raises and lowers parcels to a position where they can easily be retrieved. Some systems also provide a deployable cover to protect parcels from adverse weather conditions while awaiting pickup or following delivery. The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
  • Patent number: 11429106
    Abstract: Systems, and methods of shifting objects using a vehicle and at least one drone are provided. The vehicle and drone are configured to communicate using communication components to coordinate movement of the at least one drone relative to the wheeled object. The system for shifting objects may include sensors for detecting characteristics of the environment. The system may include shifting the object to a second location based on the characteristics detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
  • Publication number: 20220057797
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for transporting a plurality of modular containers using one or more autonomous vehicles. The system may include a housing, motorized wheels, a proximity sensor, and a control system. The housing may have a body with a floor, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the motorized wheels may be rotatably attached to the housing. The proximity sensor may identify proximity of the housing to other objects. The control system may be communicably coupled to the proximity sensor and the plurality of motorized wheels and may instruct rotatable actuation and steering of at least one of the motorized wheels based on user input, input from the proximity sensor and/or input read from a memory storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Ramsager
  • Publication number: 20210212494
    Abstract: An elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, such as delivery drones, is provided. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, such as atop a home or a pole, a drone is more capable of making deliveries because it avoids obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. The elevated delivery platform raises and lowers parcels to a position where they can easily be retrieved. Some systems also provide a deployable cover to protect parcels from adverse weather conditions while awaiting pickup or following delivery. The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
  • Publication number: 20210198040
    Abstract: An identifier associated with one or more assets is obtained in response to a reader component reading a tag associated with one or more assets as the one or more assets traverse a conveyor apparatus. At least partially in response to the obtaining of the identifier, a storage unit of a plurality of storage units is caused to automatically rotate to a loading location to receive the one or more assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager
  • Patent number: 10993569
    Abstract: An elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, such as delivery drones, is provided. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, such as atop a home or a pole, a drone is more capable of making deliveries because it avoids obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. The elevated delivery platform raises and lowers parcels to a position where they can easily be retrieved. Some systems also provide a deployable cover to protect parcels from adverse weather conditions while awaiting pickup or following delivery. The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
  • Publication number: 20210080960
    Abstract: Systems, and methods of shifting objects using a vehicle and at least one drone are provided. The vehicle and drone are configured to communicate using communication components to coordinate movement of the at least one drone relative to the wheeled object. The system for shifting objects may include sensors for detecting characteristics of the environment. The system may include shifting the object to a second location based on the characteristics detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
  • Publication number: 20200180880
    Abstract: An elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, such as delivery drones, is provided. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, such as atop a home or a pole, a drone is more capable of making deliveries because it avoids obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. The elevated delivery platform raises and lowers parcels to a position where they can easily be retrieved. Some systems also provide a deployable cover to protect parcels from adverse weather conditions while awaiting pickup or following delivery. The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Julio Gil, Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
  • Patent number: 10062047
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automated loading and retrieval of items. In various embodiments, items are received at a loading station where identification data may be captured for each item and handling instructions may be generated. In some embodiments, a label having indicia associated with the item may be generated and affixed to the item. The items may then be deposited through an access door into the vehicle identified in the handling instructions. Once the items are loaded into the access door, an automated load/unload device may deposit the item in the appropriate storage location. The automated load/unload device may also retrieve and rearrange items as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Nagesh Kadaba, Erik Peterson, Thomas Ramsager
  • Patent number: 9950862
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automated loading and retrieval of items. In various embodiments, items are received at a loading station where identification data may be captured for each item and handling instructions may be generated. In some embodiments, a label having indicia associated with the item may be generated and affixed to the item. The items may then be deposited through an access door into the vehicle identified in the handling instructions. Once the items are loaded into the access door, an automated load/unload device may deposit the item in the appropriate storage location. The automated load/unload device may also retrieve and rearrange items as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagesh Kadaba, Erik Peterson, Thomas Ramsager
  • Publication number: 20170107056
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automated loading and retrieval of items. In various embodiments, items are received at a loading station where identification data may be captured for each item and handling instructions may be generated. In some embodiments, a label having indicia associated with the item may be generated and affixed to the item. The items may then be deposited through an access door into the vehicle identified in the handling instructions. Once the items are loaded into the access door, an automated load/unload device may deposit the item in the appropriate storage location. The automated load/unload device may also retrieve and rearrange items as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: NAGESH KADABA, ERIK PETERSON, THOMAS RAMSAGER
  • Patent number: 9598238
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automated loading and retrieval of items. In various embodiments, items are received at a loading station where identification data may be captured for each item and handling instructions may be generated. In some embodiments, a label having indicia associated with the item may be generated and affixed to the item. The items may then be deposited through an access door into the vehicle identified in the handling instructions. Once the items are loaded into the access door, an automated load/unload device may deposit the item in the appropriate storage location. The automated load/unload device may also retrieve and rearrange items as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagesh Kadaba, Erik Peterson, Thomas Ramsager
  • Publication number: 20160224930
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automated loading and retrieval of items. In various embodiments, items are received at a loading station where identification data may be captured for each item and handling instructions may be generated. In some embodiments, a label having indicia associated with the item may be generated and affixed to the item. The items may then be deposited through an access door into the vehicle identified in the handling instructions. Once the items are loaded into the access door, an automated load/unload device may deposit the item in the appropriate storage location. The automated load/unload device may also retrieve and rearrange items as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: NAGESH KADABA, ERIK PETERSON, THOMAS RAMSAGER
  • Publication number: 20160221768
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for automated loading and retrieval of items. In various embodiments, items are received at a loading station where identification data may be captured for each item and handling instructions may be generated. In some embodiments, a label having indicia associated with the item may be generated and affixed to the item. The items may then be deposited through an access door into the vehicle identified in the handling instructions. Once the items are loaded into the access door, an automated load/unload device may deposit the item in the appropriate storage location. The automated load/unload device may also retrieve and rearrange items as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: NAGESH KADABA, ERIK PETERSON, THOMAS RAMSAGER
  • Patent number: 7580845
    Abstract: A novel shipping label is described that includes an electronically updateable visual display that can be updated throughout the shipping process to provide routing instructions to package handlers. Instructions shown on the updateable display can provide such information as an indication of a particular conveyor belt or vehicle or a particular location in a vehicle for the package to be placed. A label interface device for updating the new shipping label is also described herein along with systems for updating the shipping label over the course of the package delivery. In addition, novel methods of providing shipping services that are made possible by these devices and systems are included in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: United Parcel Services of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Burman, Robert V. Nonneman, Thomas Ramsager, Albert L. Wright
  • Patent number: 7574366
    Abstract: A novel shipping label is described that includes an electronically updateable visual display that can be updated throughout the shipping process to provide routing instructions to package handlers. Instructions shown on the updateable display can provide such information as an indication of a particular conveyor belt or vehicle or a particular location in a vehicle for the package to be placed. A label interface device for updating the new shipping label is also described herein along with systems for updating the shipping label over the course of the package delivery. In addition, novel methods of providing shipping services that are made possible by these devices and systems are included in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Burman, Robert V. Nonneman, Thomas Ramsager, Albert L. Wright
  • Patent number: 7511617
    Abstract: A novel shipping label is described that includes an electronically updateable visual display that can be updated throughout the shipping process to provide routing instructions to package handlers. Instructions shown on the updateable display can provide such information as an indication of a particular conveyor belt or vehicle or a particular location in a vehicle for the package to be placed. A label interface device for updating the new shipping label is also described herein along with systems for updating the shipping label over the course of the package delivery. In addition, novel methods of providing shipping services that are made possible by these devices and systems are included in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Burman, Robert V. Nonneman, Thomas Ramsager, Albert L. Wright