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).
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Publication number: 20230159192Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager, Jeff Walp
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Publication number: 20230053511Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager
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Patent number: 11492202Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 31, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager
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Patent number: 11445846Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.Inventors: Julio Gil, Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
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Patent number: 11429106Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
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Publication number: 20220057797Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventor: Thomas Ramsager
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Publication number: 20210212494Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Julio Gil, Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
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Publication number: 20210198040Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Julio Gil, Thomas Ramsager
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Patent number: 10993569Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Julio Gil, Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
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Publication number: 20210080960Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
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Publication number: 20200180880Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Julio Gil, Bala Ganesh, Thomas Ramsager
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Patent number: 10062047Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Nagesh Kadaba, Erik Peterson, Thomas Ramsager
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Patent number: 9950862Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.Inventors: Nagesh Kadaba, Erik Peterson, Thomas Ramsager
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Publication number: 20170107056Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: NAGESH KADABA, ERIK PETERSON, THOMAS RAMSAGER
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Patent number: 9598238Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.Inventors: Nagesh Kadaba, Erik Peterson, Thomas Ramsager
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Publication number: 20160224930Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: NAGESH KADABA, ERIK PETERSON, THOMAS RAMSAGER
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Publication number: 20160221768Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: NAGESH KADABA, ERIK PETERSON, THOMAS RAMSAGER
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Patent number: 7580845Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: United Parcel Services of America, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Burman, Robert V. Nonneman, Thomas Ramsager, Albert L. Wright
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Patent number: 7574366Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Burman, Robert V. Nonneman, Thomas Ramsager, Albert L. Wright
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Patent number: 7511617Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Burman, Robert V. Nonneman, Thomas Ramsager, Albert L. Wright