Shipping Patents (Class 705/330)
  • Patent number: 11074542
    Abstract: According to various examples, an automated delivery device is described including a transportation system configured to move a package to a package recipient location, a package drop-off mechanism configured to drop off the package at the package recipient location, a communication system configured to communicate with a recipient camera device at the package recipient location and a controller configured to instruct the recipient camera device via the transceiver to verify package delivery based on an image of the delivered package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tamir Damian Munafo, Adoni Mohammed Ghouse, Ariel Malamud, Johannes Berg, Alex Nayshtut
  • Patent number: 11074544
    Abstract: Evaluating node fulfillment capacity in node order assignment by receiving a current order for node order assignment, retrieving data of each node, the retrieved data of each node including current capacity utilization, determining a probability of backlog on an expected ship date of each node, the probability of backlog being based on the retrieved current capacity utilization, determining a capacity utilization cost of each node based on the probability of backlog on the expected ship date, automatically calculating a fulfillment cost of each node of the current order based on the capacity utilization cost, identifying one or more nodes for the current order with the lowest fulfillment cost and automatically generating a node order assignment assigning the current order to one of the one or more nodes with the lowest fulfillment cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ajay A. Deshpande, Saurabh Gupta, Arun Hampapur, Alan J. King, Ali Koc, Yingjie Li, Xuan Liu, Christopher S. Milite, Brian L. Quanz, Chek Keong Tan, Dahai Xing, Xiaobo Zheng
  • Patent number: 11068835
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to the use of Bluetooth beacons for enhancing delivery tracking. A Bluetooth beacon may be carried by a delivery agent. A ID of the beacon may be detected by one or more sensors. Tracking of the delivery agent may be performed by determining where the ID is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Colin Sims, Jay Winters
  • Patent number: 11049174
    Abstract: New technologies for real-time processing and managing product orders are described. The technologies utilize mobile communication and intelligent analysis to reduce waiting time, keep product fresh, and guarantee product delivery. Specific examples are given in the context of meal orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Keenwawa, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Young, Adam Hiatt, Jason Mueller, David Friedberg, Scott Drummond
  • Patent number: 11037264
    Abstract: A method for operating an arrival notification system at a location includes receiving a request to generate a notification from an arrival notification system. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a token. The method further includes enabling an output from a component of the arrival notification system when the token is validated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Allison Thackston, Samuel Zapolsky, Katarina Miller, Laura Stelzner, Ron Goldman
  • Patent number: 11010819
    Abstract: In some examples, a computing device exposes, to a merchant device, one or more Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for accessing a delivery service. The computing device receives, from the merchant device, via the one or more APIs, a request regarding delivery of an order specified by a customer for delivery from the merchant. The computing device may send a communication to a courier to instruct the courier to deliver the order. The computing device may receive, from the merchant device, via the one or more APIs, a request for a delivery status of the order received via a user interface. The computing device may determine the delivery status of the order based at least partially on location information received from the courier, and sends the delivery status to prompt the merchant device to present the delivery status in the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Iacono, Derek Hammer, Jesse L. Reiss, Alexander Soong
  • Patent number: 10997546
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for delivering packages to customers, comprising a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a first user device in a fulfillment center, a package identifier associated with a package for delivery to a customer, modify a database to assign the package identifier to a group, among a plurality of groups, based on a delivery address associated with the package identifier and a location of a camp to which the package is routed, generate a map of the plurality of groups, send the map for display on a second user device in the camp, and send for display an activatable icon on a location on the map, wherein the location of the activatable icon on the map is associated with the delivery address of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Coupang Corp.
    Inventors: Yulhee Lee, Hye Leen Choi, Yong Hee Lee, Moon Jung Jang, Sun Hee Hwang, Jeongho Pi
  • Patent number: 10951601
    Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus that includes a control authority managing unit configured to change a control authority for a device by a first user on a basis of whether or not a status is a monitored status. The monitored status is a status in which the device or the first user is under supervision of a second user having a management authority for the device, and the first user does not have the management authority for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoyuki Sato, Hirotake Ichikawa, Seiji Suzuki, Masato Shimakawa
  • Patent number: 10911903
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for multi-point destination arrival time analysis. In one aspect, the system may include a memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to. The processor performs operations including receiving a request for an order, receiving an acceptance of an order associated with the first external system, determining, upon receiving the acceptance, a first arrival estimate, determining, upon assigning a delivery worker to fulfill the order, a second arrival estimate, and determining, upon receiving confirmation that the delivery worker has retrieved the order from the merchant, a third arrival estimate. Additionally, the operations may include and forwarding, upon their determination, the first, second, and third arrival estimates to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Coupang Corp.
    Inventors: Tae Kyung Kim, Chee Hyung Yoon
  • Patent number: 10874240
    Abstract: A landing pad receptacle receives and stores a package delivered by an unmanned vehicle, comprising: a housing; a storage compartment in the housing; and a validation device that detects a presence of a package delivered by a unmanned vehicle in the storage compartment and authenticates a package for return by a unmanned vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Lewis, Matthew Dwain Biermann, Kevin Matthew Charles
  • Patent number: 10839340
    Abstract: A node-enabled autonomous vehicle conducting a logistics transaction for a package includes an autonomous vehicle and a mobile master node on the vehicle. The vehicle moves, pursuant to control input, from a first location to a transaction location related to the logistics transaction. The mobile master node has a short range communication interface to communicate with other nodes in a wireless node network and a longer range communication interface to communicate directly with a server in the network. The vehicle's mobile master node is operative to receive shipment information from the server that identifies the package and an identification of a node associated with the package; provide a control signal to a control input of the vehicle causing the vehicle to move to the transaction location; and automatically conduct the logistics transaction related to the package if the mobile master node successfully associates with a node associated with the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud
  • Patent number: 10817946
    Abstract: A system for facilitating freight transactions that includes a secure portal for receiving users' (carriers, forwarders, shippers, and market makers) data that includes orders and capacity postings between destinations. The system also includes a back-end modules configured for collecting capacity/shipping volume data to generate forecast data, managing derivative contracts, determining best possible routing, given the orders and capacity postings, breaking the best possible routing into component segments that is then traded as derivative contracts, providing report, managing settlement and clearinghouse functions, and receiving risk assessment about the forecast data. The system further includes an interface layer for facilitating communications between the portal and the back-end modules. The system moreover includes a contract and capacity management module configured for enabling the carriers and the forwarders to strategically position their capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Inventors: Pierre L. Laurent, Petere Miner
  • Patent number: 10807715
    Abstract: A payload retrieval apparatus including a structure having an outwardly facing portion, a payload support member adapted for having a payload positioned thereon, one or more magnets or a metal positioned on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure adapted to magnetically engage one or more magnets or a metal positioned on a payload retriever attached to a tether suspended from a UAV, wherein when the payload is positioned on the payload support member, the payload support member is movable to position a handle of the payload adjacent the one or more magnets or the metal on or within the outwardly facing portion of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Wing Aviation LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Shannon
  • Patent number: 10800574
    Abstract: Systems and methods which provide a reusable shipping product comprised of a reusable shipping container and reusable shipping event code are shown. A shipper may use a user device to interact with a reusable shipping event code and/or corresponding shipping event management system for facilitating operation herein. The reusable shipping event codes of embodiments provide for shipping information used in processing an item during shipment in a configuration adapted for repeated use in shipping. A shipping event code database is preferably provided, such as at a shipping event management system, wherein shipping information associated with a corresponding shipping event code may be stored, such as for use in shipping services processing of a shipped item using a reusable shipping product of embodiments herein. The reusable shipping containers of embodiments of the invention provide shipping containers which are adapted for repeated use in shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Stamps.com Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Biswas
  • Patent number: 10769577
    Abstract: A device may receive event information identifying a container event associated with one or more shipping containers. The container event may indicate a time to be used to determine demurrage or detention data for the one or more shipping containers. The device may determine, based on the event information, baseline information associated with generating demurrage or detention data for the one or more shipping containers. The device may determine, based on the container event and the baseline information, that demurrage or detention has been triggered in association with the one or more shipping containers. The device may generate the demurrage or detention data for the one or more shipping containers using the baseline information and the event information, and based on determining that demurrage or detention has been triggered in association with the one or more shipping containers. The device may provide the demurrage or detention data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Accenture Global Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Vijayanambi Subramanian, Hemant Kuvar, Sivakumar Nair, Chandramouli Viswanathan, Manoj Kumar Mannotty
  • Patent number: 10749853
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating cross-platform authentication. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to detect that a visual token includes data indicating one or more authentication credentials for accessing a communication device in response to scanning the visual token. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to communicate the authentication credentials of the detected visual token to the communication device to request the communication device to determine whether the authentication credentials are valid for a user. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to enable access to the communication device in response to receiving an indication from the communication device that the authentication credentials of the detected visual token are valid. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Weiqun Jack Zheng, Robert Frederick Myrick
  • Patent number: 10748111
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating a shipping label for an item to be shipped using a wireless node network. The network includes a master node associated with a shipping facility, a node associated with a shipping customer, and a server. The master node receives shipping information from the server, where the shipping information is related to the node associated with the shipping customer and item to be shipped. The master node then detects a signal from the shipping customer's node as it approaches the shipping facility. The master node proceeds to become associated with the shipping customer's node. The master node then causes generation of the shipping label for the item to be shipped when the master node determines the node associated with the shipping customer is within a predetermined range of a location within the shipping facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud
  • Patent number: 10719805
    Abstract: A system for a mobile secure locker in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes processor(s) and memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the system to provide a user interface for a user to rent a mobile secure locker in an autonomous robot vehicle, receive information through the user interface from the user where the information includes a first destination, a second destination, and a time associated with the second destination, communicate instructions to the autonomous robot vehicle to travel to the first destination to receive the item, receive an indication from the autonomous robot vehicle that the item has been received, communicate instructions to the autonomous robot vehicle to travel to the second destination to deliver the item to the user at the time associated with the second destination, and receive from the autonomous robot vehicle an indication the item is retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nuro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Pichayut Jirapinyo, Nan Ransohoff
  • Patent number: 10713706
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for multi-model prediction and resolution of order issues. An exemplary method for predicting issues that will delay an order comprises: obtaining features of the order; processing the features using a multi-model predictor to predict the issues that will delay the order, wherein the multi-model predictor comprises a first model that determines a probability that the order will be delayed and a second model that determines a probability that the order will be delayed for each of a plurality of different predefined order issue types; and aggregating an output of the first and second models to provide a likelihood of the issues that will delay the order. The multi-model predictor also optionally comprises a prediction model that predicts a number of the delay issues for a future time period and/or a cost of the delay issues for different predefined order issue types based on historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Karun Thankachan, Venkata ChandraSekarRao, Abhishek Gupta, Arvind Babu
  • Patent number: 10685319
    Abstract: A simulator is configured to simulate the fulfillment of orders by nodes. Each node has an inventory of products and is capable of shipping the products to destinations in response to receipt of a corresponding order. The simulator divides the nodes into groups and assigns a different priority to each group based on input provided by a user to the simulator to generate an ordered sequence of priorities. The simulator maintains safety stock data corresponding to each node that indicates minimum quantities of the products required to be present at the corresponding node. The simulator selects a current priority of the sequence and next simulates a first group among the groups having the current priority fulfilling the orders for a given product among the products while a quantity of the given product at each of the nodes in the first group is below the minimum quantity in the corresponding safety stock data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: JoAnn Piersa Brereton, Ajay Ashok Deshpande, Arun Hampapur, Miao He, Alan Jonathan King, Xuan Liu, Christopher Scott Milite, Jae-Eun Park, Joline Ann Villaranda Uichanco, Songhua Xing, Steve Igrejas, Hongliang Fei, Vadiraja Ramamurthy, Yingjie Li, Kimberly D. Hendrix, Xiao Bo Zheng
  • Patent number: 10679178
    Abstract: A simulator is configured to simulate the fulfillment of orders by nodes. Each node has an inventory of products and is capable of shipping the products to destinations in response to receipt of a corresponding order. The simulator divides the nodes into groups and assigns a different priority to each group based on input provided by a user to the simulator to generate an ordered sequence of priorities. The simulator maintains safety stock data corresponding to each node that indicates minimum quantities of the products required to be present at the corresponding node. The simulator selects a current priority of the sequence and next simulates a first group among the groups having the current priority fulfilling the orders for a given product among the products while a quantity of the given product at each of the nodes in the first group is below the minimum quantity in the corresponding safety stock data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: JoAnn Piersa Brereton, Ajay Ashok Deshpande, Arun Hampapur, Miao He, Alan Jonathan King, Xuan Liu, Christopher Scott Milite, Jae-Eun Park, Joline Ann Villaranda Uichanco, Songhua Xing, Steve Igrejas, Hongliang Fei, Vadiraja Ramamurthy, Yingjie Li, Kimberly D. Hendrix, Xiao Bo Zheng
  • Patent number: 10681498
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for standardizing addresses and providing information associated with geographic areas/points of interest. For example, location data can be collected for serviceable points. From the collected location data, addresses can be standardized, location-based searches can be performed, correct locations of serviceable points can be confirmed, and geographic representations can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Marc David Siris, Christopher T. Schenken
  • Patent number: 10666571
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access to content resources are provided. The method comprises: in response to receiving a first request for accessing first content resources in a content server, obtaining from the content server metadata associated with a first Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the first content resources, the first request including the first URI, the metadata at least indicating a mapping between the first URI of the first content resources and a second URI of the first content resources, the first URI being a shortened version of the second URI; obtaining the second URI by parsing the metadata; and responding to the first request with the second URI of the first content resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Wei William Zhou, Jason Muhua Chen, Wei Ruan, Chen Wang, Zed Minhong Zhou
  • Patent number: 10664770
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for routing vehicles in a vehicle fleet includes a location assignment module comprising computer hardware and a routing module. The location assignment module can be configured to iteratively: determine whether quotas are met for a plurality of territories based at least on locations assigned to individual territories of the plurality of territories, and in response to determining that the quota is unmet for one or more individual territories, assign one or more additional locations to the one or more individual territories having unmet quotas based at least on a proximity of the one or more additional locations to a different reference location associated with each of the one or more individual territories having unmet quotas. The routing module can be configured to generate routes including the locations assigned to the individual territories for vehicles in a vehicle fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: William George Looman, Jefferson Ray Tan Hidayat, Katherine Winnie Kok, Mark Robert Dunlop
  • Patent number: 10621539
    Abstract: The delivery of goods to a customer comprises a substantial portion of human activity. To correct address errors and/or to more precisely locate delivery locations, systems are provided to assist human, human operated vehicle, or autonomous vehicles to locate a delivery point. Often the location of a delivery point is inaccurate or imprecise. GPS and other coordinate systems often fail or are imprecise without an unobstructed view of the sky. Even with coordinates available, the delivery point may be different from the coordinates or, more commonly, coordinates that are different from some standard point within a postal address associated with the coordinates. Providing a delivery system that utilizes a broadcasted identifier, such as an identifier associated with the order of the item, the delivery of the item may be made proximate to the source of the broadcasted identifier or further refined using the broadcasted identifier as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Valentine C. Matula, David Skiba, George Erhart
  • Patent number: 10607177
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a delivery location is provided. The method includes enabling a UAV delivery application specifying a delivery location for delivery of a package. A street address defining the delivery location is received and an eyewear based video device is enabled and directed towards a geographical area associated with the delivery of the package. GPS data associated with the geographical area is retrieved from the eyewear based video device and first GPS coordinates identifying a location of an embedded computing device are retrieved from a GPS system. A distance between the first GPS coordinates and the geographical area is calculated. Additionally, second GPS coordinates identifying the geographical area are calculated based on the GPS data, the distance, and the first GPS coordinates and it is determined if the second GPS coordinates are located within a specified perimeter surrounding the street address defining the delivery location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ahamed Jalaldeen, Chivukula Venkata L. Narayana
  • Patent number: 10586273
    Abstract: In some examples, a service provider may receive a plurality of communications indicating buyer accesses to respective item-ordering applications on respective buyer devices. The service provider may determine that the buyer accesses occurred at respective buyer locations outside of a current delivery region. The service provider may determine a cluster of the respective buyer locations, and may further determine, based on the cluster, a recommended courier location for extending the delivery region to include a new area including the cluster. Additionally, in some cases, the service provider may determine a recommended courier location based on a plurality of past delivery locations. Further, in response to receiving an indication of a delivery location from a buyer device, the service provider may determine that a courier is within a threshold delivery travel time to the delivery location prior to providing item information to the buyer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: DOORDASH, INC.
    Inventor: Avlok Kohli
  • Patent number: 10556254
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an exemplary system that includes a mechanism configured to create by a digital mailing services provider, DMSP, a recipient-specific handling information indicia and provide said recipient-specific handling information indicia to a recipient; a mechanism configured to allow the recipient to provide said handling information indicia in delivery address C/O line, on a mail item, thereby indicating to said service provider their desired handling route for the mail item so that a paper mail recipient to receive improved transmission of correspondence from said service provider via both paper and electronic channels solely via including said handling information indicia contained in the delivery address C/O line of the recipient's delivery address on the mail item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank W. Delfer, Navdeep S. Dhillon
  • Patent number: 10552785
    Abstract: A method and system for determining implementing a bidding based product delivery determination process is provided. The method includes presenting a product for purchase via a bidding process. Packages including the product are pre-loaded on delivery vehicles for delivery within geographical zones including maximum travel distances. Monetary bids for the product are received from users with respect to the delivery vehicles and a user submitting a highest monetary bid is identified. In response, a first delivery vehicle is directed to a location of the user. A profit sharing process with respect to the users and an entity providing the product is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sasikanth Eda, Deepak R. Ghuge, Sandeep R. Patil, Gandhi Sivakumar
  • Patent number: 10540621
    Abstract: A method of determining an inventory mirroring plan for a set of distinct items in a fulfillment network. The fulfillment network can include a plurality of distribution centers. The method can include determining, for each distinct item of the set of distinct items and for each demand zone of a set of demand zones, a location-specific demand. The method also can include determining, for each of a number of clusters ranging from 1 to a predetermined maximum number of clusters, a k-cluster profile that partitions the plurality of distribution centers in the fulfillment network into k distribution center clusters. The method further can include determining, for each of the number of clusters and for each demand zone of the set of demand zones, a closest distribution center cluster of the k distribution center clusters that is nearest to the demand zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Zhiwei Qin, Jagtej Bewli, Mohan Akella
  • Patent number: 10528062
    Abstract: A computerized vehicle control system for fleet routing includes a fleet of vehicles where each vehicle in the fleet of vehicles is configured to travel over streets and including an engine and wheels. Each vehicle further includes an in-vehicle electronic device comprising digital logic circuitry and a port configured to couple with a vehicle computer installed in the vehicle and in communication with a plurality of sensors disposed about the vehicle. The in-vehicle electronic device further comprises a display. The computerized vehicle control system further includes a vehicle management system comprising memory and computer hardware and configured to communicate over a network with each in-vehicle electronic device in the fleet of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: William George Looman, Jefferson Ray Tan Hidayat, Katherine Winnie Kok, Mark Robert Dunlop
  • Patent number: 10521754
    Abstract: Systems and methods which provide shipping management system shipping documentation generation operation which spawns intelligent generation subprocesses are described. The intelligent generation subprocesses of embodiments facilitate autonomous shipping documentation generation functionality of a concatenated shipping documentation generation process. A user may initiate a shipping documentation generation process, whereby an intelligent generation subprocess is spawned, and thereafter the user may be freed to perform one or more independent operation and/or interaction with the shipping management system. One or more verifications, checks, warnings, and/or the like are suspended and one or more parameter, input, selection, and/or the like are defaulted for operation of an intelligent generation subprocess of embodiments. Embodiments implement a documentation queue to provide historical information with respect to intelligent generation subprocess operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Auctane, LLC
    Inventor: Byron J. Wier
  • Patent number: 10515335
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for receiving and storing delivered items. In some embodiments, a secured delivery locker is described herein that can communicate with delivery vehicles and/or users. In several embodiments, an autonomous delivery vehicle can communicate with a secured delivery locker to authenticate itself. The secured delivery locker can then grant access to the delivery vehicle, such as by opening a door to an interior thereof, so that the delivery vehicle can deposit a package therein. The locker can then confirm receipt of the package and close the door. Thereafter, the locker and/or the delivery vehicle can update a system to indicate that the package was delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Winkle, Robert C. Taylor, Todd D. Mattingly, Michael D. Atchley, Robert L. Cantrell, John J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10387822
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on a determination of distance between serviceable points and/or time required to travel between serviceable points. Accordingly, shipping data for a first shipment is initially received, and a determination is made whether a second shipment is available for synchronized delivery with the first shipment. To make such a determination, a previous distance is identified between a first serviceable point and a second serviceable point, a time elapsed is identified between the first serviceable point and the second serviceable point, and the distance and the time elapsed are compared with respective thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Bolton, Steven D. Brill, Matthew Collins, Anthony Creasy, Andrew Dotterweich, Joseph Guerrisi, Daniel Kettleson, Michael Mullholland, Robert J. Gillen, Greg Loppatto, John Hernandez, Butch Butler, Scott Lord
  • Patent number: 10373102
    Abstract: A method and system for evaluating node fulfillment capacity in node order assignment. The method includes receiving a current order for node order assignment. The method also includes retrieving data of each node from a plurality of nodes, the retrieved data comprising current capacity utilization, capacity of a current day and capacity of a future day. The method then includes determining a probability of backlog on an expected ship date of each node, the probability of backlog being based on the retrieved current capacity utilization. Further, the method includes automatically converting the probability of backlog, backlog cost, and labor cost of each node into a capacity utilization cost of the each node using a capacity utilization cost model defining a set of predetermined capacity utilization threshold values. Then, the method includes automatically calculating a fulfillment cost of each node of the current order by adding a plurality of costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ajay A. Deshpande, Saurabh Gupta, Arun Hampapur, Alan J. King, Ali Koc, Yingjie Li, Xuan Liu, Christopher S. Milite, Brian L. Quanz, Chek Keong Tan, Dahai Xing, Xiaobo Zheng
  • Patent number: 10373113
    Abstract: A computer system for dynamically managing the transport vector of items receives a client identification and handling parameters from an input device. The system identifies, within a client database, different transport vectors associated with the client identification. The system then accesses one or more item-specific variables associated with the particular item. The system also filters the different transport vectors by the item-specific variables and the handling parameters such that a remaining subset of the different transport vectors all conform with the item-specific variables and the handling parameters. The system selects a specific transport vector from the remaining subset of the different transport vectors based upon a ranking of a user specified attribute. The system then generates a physical digital encoding that conforms with a particular template associated with the specific transport vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: International Fulfillment Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Devin C. Johnson, Ben Whitesides
  • Patent number: 10332064
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting duplicate travel. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to detect a travel path of a vehicle based in part on received items of location data. The processor is also configured to determine whether the travel path is associated with a defined street segment including a plurality of location points corresponding to a street. The processor is further configured to determine whether the vehicle travels the street multiple times in a predefined time period. The processor is further configured to superimpose visible indicia on the defined street segment in response to detecting that the vehicle traveled the street multiple times during the predefined time period. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 10315763
    Abstract: Various methods for performing package deliveries by a robotic vehicle may include determining whether an individual at a package delivery location is a requester or an authorized recipient of a package to be delivered by the robotic vehicle at the package delivery location, sending a notification to the requester of the package in response to determining that the individual at the package delivery location is not the requester or an authorized recipient, and delivering the package to the individual at the package delivery location in response to receiving authorization from the requester to deliver the package to the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shankar Anand, Ashutosh Gupta, Ankit Banaudha, Amandeep Singh Bedi, Michael Franco Taveira
  • Patent number: 10287047
    Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing automated packaging of a shipment set, said shipment set comprising one or more items arranged in an arrangement for being automatically packaged, the apparatus comprising at least one image obtaining device for obtaining three-dimensional image data of said arrangement and at least one computer system and a signaling device, the computer system adapted for processing said image data to obtain information on the dimensions of individual items present in said arrangement and on the orientation and position of said items in said arrangement, performing an analysis of said information with respect to at least one optimization criterion and depending on said analysis, generating signals indicating to either proceed with automated packaging of said arrangement or to modify or to divert said arrangement, and the signaling device adapted for receiving the signals generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Joost Zeilstra
  • Patent number: 10262410
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a system for inspecting goods. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a transmission image and a HSCODE of inspected goods; processing the transmission image to obtain a region of interest; retrieving from a model library a model created based on the HSCODE, in accordance with the HSCODE of the inspected goods; and determining whether there are any goods not registered in a customs declaration that are contained in the region of interest based on the model. With the above solution, it is possible to inspect goods in a container efficiently, so as to find out whether there are goods not indicated in the customs declaration that are concealed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Li Zhang, Ziran Zhao, Yaohong Liu, Cun Cheng, Qiang Li, Jianping Gu, Jian Zhang, Gang Fu
  • Patent number: 10248120
    Abstract: Navigable path networks herein are defined based on attributes of tasks to be performed by autonomous vehicles traveling thereon, based on attributes of such vehicles, or attributes of the environments in which such networks are provided. The networks include traditional and non-traditional transportation features, and are defined based on prior travel within the environments, including information gathered by such vehicles during such prior travel. The autonomous vehicles are robotic, self-powered units having storage compartments for carrying objects between points of the networks. An optimal route within a navigable path network is selected based on attributes of an autonomous vehicle, a task to be performed by the autonomous vehicle, or the various paths within the network. A navigable path network is updated based on information subsequently learned regarding the environment, including information captured by autonomous vehicles traveling on paths of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard Bruce Siegel, Pragyana K. Mishra
  • Patent number: 10127517
    Abstract: Techniques for allowing a store to provide same day delivery to customers are disclosed. The techniques include receiving a delivery location for delivery of the item with a customer order, providing the delivery location to a delivery server, the delivery server comparing the delivery location to existing delivery locations for a same day delivery route, and providing potential delivery times to the store server. The techniques also include the store server correlating the possible delivery times with predetermined delivery windows, presenting to the customer potential delivery windows for the order, and receiving from the customer a selection of a delivery window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: David Jon Carr, Richard Mark Ramsden
  • Patent number: 10114597
    Abstract: An information processing device extracts a partial area corresponding to a newly placed printed product, from a captured image as a result of capturing an image of a predetermined image capturing area in which a printed product generated based on an order is placed, acquires from the table, slip information corresponding to image data obtained by searching the table for image data representing an image that matches or is similar to an image in the partial area, and generates print data of a slip corresponding to the newly placed printed product based on the acquired slip information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kimio Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10096060
    Abstract: Information about participants in an auction are received and analyzed along with information about products to be auctioned and other information to generate an interest gauge. The interest gauge may reflect the interest of a buyer, a seller, an auction house or any other entity in the auctioning event. Based on the interest gauge, the operations of the auction can be augmented and/or modified to be optimal in view of revenue generation, products moved, and a balance between the two. For instance, the buyer interest gauge could be used to create packages of items to be auctioned in a combinatorial auction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: XCIRA, INC
    Inventors: Nancy J Rabenold, James A Simmons
  • Patent number: 10074066
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing an order in an Omni-channel order fulfillment system is disclosed. A stock-keeping unit (SKU) node level cost is predicted for a plurality of SKUs. The order is received containing one or more SKUs. A candidate list of fulfillment nodes is determined for fulfilling each of the one or more SKUs in the order using the predicted SKU node level cost and a fulfillment node-destination shipping distance. One or more fulfillment nodes are selected from the candidate list, and the order is fulfilled using the selected one or more fulfillment nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ajay A. Deshpande, Saurabh Gupta, Arun Hampapur, Alan J. King, Ali Koc, Pradyumnha G. Kowlani, Yingjie Li, Ding Ding Lin, Xuan Liu, Christopher Milite, Brian L. Quanz, Chek Keong Tan, Dahai Xing, Xiao Bo Zheng
  • Patent number: 9800564
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating cross-platform authentication. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to detect that a visual token includes data indicating one or more authentication credentials for accessing a communication device in response to scanning the visual token. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to communicate the authentication credentials of the detected visual token to the communication device to request the communication device to determine whether the authentication credentials are valid for a user. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to enable access to the communication device in response to receiving an indication from the communication device that the authentication credentials of the detected visual token are valid. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Weiqun Jack Zheng, Robert Frederick Myrick
  • Patent number: 9741010
    Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering packages to multiple recipients uses a mobile robot having a delivery package space suitable for accommodating at least two packages, at least one package sensor configured to output first data reflective of the presence or absence of packages within with package space, at least one processing component configured to receive and process the package sensor's first data and at least one communication component configured to at least send and receive second data. The mobile robot travels to a first delivery location, permits a first recipient to access the package space, and identifies the first recipient's package to the first recipient. The system and method use data from the package sensor to verify that the first recipient removed only his or her package, if other package(s) are also present. The mobile robot then travels to a second delivery location associated with a second recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Starship Technologies OÜ
    Inventor: Ahti Heinla
  • Patent number: 9710776
    Abstract: An overlay bag tag is configured to cover an old bag tag that is attached to a bag of a passenger, with the overlay bag tag including an original bag tag number of the old bag tag and an updated bag route. The overlay bag tag is used to reroute the bag according to the updated bag route when there is a change in a passenger route of the passenger after the bag is checked in with the airlines so that the bag travels with the passenger. If the bag cannot travel with the passenger, the system reroutes the bags to the final destination of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
    Inventor: James Clair Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 9639821
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media. A method includes receiving virtual mail piece data and receiving a mail piece, the mail piece having machine-readable indicia on an exterior surface. The method includes decoding the indicia to produce a mail piece identifier and identifying a recipient of the mail piece using the mail piece identifier. The method includes retrieving subscription preferences from a recipient database according to the identified recipient. The method includes electronically sending a virtual mail piece to the recipient, the virtual mail piece corresponding to the mail piece, the virtual mail piece data, and the subscription preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Stanley Wayne Sipe, Michael O. Norris
  • Patent number: 9514429
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for global enterprise workflow management are disclosed. The system may include a communications module, memory, and processor for executing a method of managing job information. The system receives job information and uses a model to identify a desirable resource to execute the job. Then the system sends the job information to the identified resource for execution. The resource may send back information associated with the running and/or completion of the job. Various models may be used in identifying a desirable approach, including a cost model, a staffing model, and other models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Kern, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Brock, Pramod C. Madala