Patents by Inventor Vincent Dethier

Vincent Dethier 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: 11620611
    Abstract: A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Patent number: 10929806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating pick up of items delivered to attended delivery/pickup locations. In various embodiments, the system is configured for confirming an identity of a person attempting to pick up a parcel from an attended delivery/pickup location before releasing the parcel to the person. The system may confirm the identity by receiving identifying information, by confirming a geographic location of a person attempting to retrieve the parcel, etc. In some embodiments, the system may be configure to enable parcel recipients to provide other persons the authorization to retrieve parcels and may be further configured to confirm this authorization before releasing parcels to a person other than the intended parcel recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Luc Pirenne
  • Patent number: 10909497
    Abstract: A system for enabling users to reserve space at attended delivery/pickup locations to at least substantially guarantee that the attended delivery/pickup locations will have capacity to receive parcels requested to be delivered to them. In various embodiments, the system is configured to substantially automatically reserve space in response to receiving a request to delivery one or more parcels to a particular attended delivery/pickup location. In other embodiments, the system is configured to enable users to reserve space at attended delivery/pickup locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Luc Pirenne
  • Publication number: 20210004761
    Abstract: A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Patent number: 10783488
    Abstract: A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Publication number: 20200134559
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating delivery of parcels to, from, and between attended delivery/pickup locations. In various embodiments, the attended delivery/pickup locations may be associated with brick-and-mortar retail locations and used to facilitate inventory transfer between locations, shipment of goods purchased at the brick-and-mortar-retail locations to other attended delivery/pickup locations or other locations, and to receive delivery of parcels sent from any suitable location. In some embodiments, the attended delivery/pickup locations are configured to receive shipments of items ordered from online retail websites. In other embodiments, the attended delivery/pickups locations are associated with shopping centers and configured to facilitate shipment of items purchased at the associated shopping centers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Patent number: 10558942
    Abstract: A computer system for defining attributes associated with attended delivery/pickup locations is described. In various embodiments, the system is configured to enable an authorized user (e.g., a manager of an attended delivery/pickup location) to define certain attributes of a particular attended delivery/pickup location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to verify that the particular user is authorized to define the one or more attributes associated with the particular attended delivery/pickup location (e.g., by checking a list of one or more authorized users). Once the one or more attributes are defined, in one or more embodiments, the system is configured to accept or reject parcel delivery requests based at least in part on the attributes. In further embodiments, the system is configured to facilitate a return of a particular item to a retailer via the attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Schenken, Daniel Lievens, Luc Pirenne, Vincent Dethier
  • Patent number: 10521761
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating delivery of parcels to, from, and between attended delivery/pickup locations. In various embodiments, the attended delivery/pickup locations may be associated with brick-and-mortar retail locations and used to facilitate inventory transfer between locations, shipment of goods purchased at the brick-and-mortar-retail locations to other attended delivery/pickup locations or other locations, and to receive delivery of parcels sent from any suitable location. In some embodiments, the attended delivery/pickup locations are configured to receive shipments of items ordered from online retail websites. In other embodiments, the attended delivery/pickups locations are associated with shopping centers and configured to facilitate shipment of items purchased at the associated shopping centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Patent number: 10521762
    Abstract: A computer system for defining attributes associated with attended delivery/pickup locations is described. In various embodiments, the system is configured to enable an authorized user (e.g., a manager of an attended delivery/pickup location) to define certain attributes of a particular attended delivery/pickup location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to verify that the particular user is authorized to define the one or more attributes associated with the particular attended delivery/pickup location (e.g., by checking a list of one or more authorized users). Once the one or more attributes are defined, in one or more embodiments, the system is configured to accept or reject parcel delivery requests based at least in part on the attributes. In further embodiments, the system is configured to facilitate a return of a particular item to a retailer via the attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Schenken, Daniel Lievens, Luc Pirenne, Vincent Dethier
  • Patent number: 10402775
    Abstract: Systems and methods for re-routing parcels being delivered to attended delivery/pickup locations that have no capacity and/or ability to take delivery of the parcels. In various embodiments, in response to determining that the attended delivery/pickup location doesn't have sufficient capacity and/or ability to accept delivery of the parcel, the system is configured to: (1) re-route the parcel to a different location; or (2) hold the parcel for later delivery. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine an appropriate response to determining that the attended delivery/pickup location cannot accept delivery of the parcel substantially automatically. In other embodiments, the system is configured to provide the parcel recipient with one or more re-routing options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Services of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Luc Pirenne
  • Patent number: 10339492
    Abstract: Systems and methods for re-routing parcels being delivered to attended delivery/pickup locations that have no capacity and/or ability to take delivery of the parcels. In various embodiments, in response to determining that the attended delivery/pickup location doesn't have sufficient capacity and/or ability to accept delivery of the parcel, the system is configured to: (1) re-route the parcel to a different location; or (2) hold the parcel for later delivery. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine an appropriate response to determining that the attended delivery/pickup location cannot accept delivery of the parcel substantially automatically. In other embodiments, the system is configured to provide the parcel recipient with one or more re-routing options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Services of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Luc Pirenne
  • Publication number: 20180253688
    Abstract: A computer system for defining attributes associated with attended delivery/pickup locations is described. In various embodiments, the system is configured to enable an authorized user (e.g., a manager of an attended delivery/pickup location) to define certain attributes of a particular attended delivery/pickup location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to verify that the particular user is authorized to define the one or more attributes associated with the particular attended delivery/pickup location (e.g., by checking a list of one or more authorized users). Once the one or more attributes are defined, in one or more embodiments, the system is configured to accept or reject parcel delivery requests based at least in part on the attributes. In further embodiments, the system is configured to facilitate a return of a particular item to a retailer via the attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER SCHENKEN, DANIEL LIEVENS, LUC PIRENNE, VINCENT DETHIER
  • Patent number: 10002341
    Abstract: A computer system for defining attributes associated with attended delivery/pickup locations is described. In various embodiments, the system is configured to enable an authorized user (e.g., a manager of an attended delivery/pickup location) to define certain attributes of a particular attended delivery/pickup location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to verify that the particular user is authorized to define the one or more attributes associated with the particular attended delivery/pickup location (e.g., by checking a list of one or more authorized users). Once the one or more attributes are defined, in one or more embodiments, the system is configured to accept or reject parcel delivery requests based at least in part on the attributes. In further embodiments, the system is configured to facilitate a return of a particular item to a retailer via the attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Schenken, Daniel Lievens, Luc Pirenne, Vincent Dethier
  • Publication number: 20180025319
    Abstract: A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Patent number: 9811798
    Abstract: A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Publication number: 20160098680
    Abstract: A computer system for defining attributes associated with attended delivery/pickup locations is described. In various embodiments, the system is configured to enable an authorized user (e.g., a manager of an attended delivery/pickup location) to define certain attributes of a particular attended delivery/pickup location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to verify that the particular user is authorized to define the one or more attributes associated with the particular attended delivery/pickup location (e.g., by checking a list of one or more authorized users). Once the one or more attributes are defined, in one or more embodiments, the system is configured to accept or reject parcel delivery requests based at least in part on the attributes. In further embodiments, the system is configured to facilitate a return of a particular item to a retailer via the attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Schenken, Daniel Lievens, Luc Pirenne, Vincent Dethier
  • Publication number: 20140278603
    Abstract: A system and method for locating nearby attended delivery/pickup locations with a particular item in stock is described. The system receives a request from an individual to purchase a particular item from an on-line retailer. The system receives information associated with attended delivery/pickup locations, including location and inventory information. The system then determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., the attended delivery/pickup locations are not the on-line retailer) are near the individual and have the particular item in stock and notifies the individual. In various embodiments, the system enables the user to purchase or reserve the particular item at the particular attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Publication number: 20140279658
    Abstract: A computer system for suggesting attended delivery/pickup locations to individuals (e.g., other than the individual's home and/or office) is disclosed. In various embodiments, the computer system receives location information associated with the individual (e.g., the individual's home, office, etc.) and the locations of various attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., attended retail stores that have signed up to receive deliveries for individuals). The system determines which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations are located near the location associated with the individual (e.g., near the individual's home) and which (if any) attended delivery/pickup locations are available to accept parcels for the user. The system then suggests attended delivery/pickup locations to the individual. In various embodiments, the system is configured to enable the user to select a default attended delivery/pickup location and/or an alternative attended delivery/pickup location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Peter Henderickx, Luc Pirenne, Denis Payre
  • Publication number: 20140278898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining charges for parcels requested by users for delivery to attended delivery/pickup locations. In various embodiments, the system is configured for determining a charge based at least in part on user information, which may include, for example, a frequency with which a user requests delivery to the attended delivery/pickup location, a loyalty of the user to a particular common carrier, purchases made by the user at a brick-and-mortar retail location associated with the attended delivery/pickup location, purchases made by the user at an online retail website that the user elects to have delivered to the attended delivery/pickup location, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Luc Pirenne
  • Publication number: 20140278843
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating pick up of items from attended delivery/pickup locations. In various embodiments, the system is configured for determining a deadline for retrieving a parcel delivered to an attended delivery/pickup location. In particular embodiments the system is configured to return the parcel to the sender when the recipient does not retrieve the parcel before the deadline. The system may be configured to provide one or more incentives to recipients to retrieve parcels before particular deadlines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Lievens, Vincent Dethier, Luc Pirenne