Patents by Inventor William J. Dowling

William J. Dowling 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: 10373098
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20140324726
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Edward J. KUEBERT, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8775329
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20130304664
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8489520
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20130006885
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is .en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8265947
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20120089532
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Edward J. KUEBERT, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8103521
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20100100497
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 7647231
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20020165729
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling