Tracking Patents (Class 705/333)
  • Patent number: 12233925
    Abstract: A method for configuring control software in a rail vehicle. The control software, which is designed for a multitude of rail vehicles, implements basic functions that are required for the basic operation of the rail vehicles. The control software additionally implements optional functions required to execute client-specific requests. The specifications, combinations and functional sequences of the basic functions and optional functions are tested, validated, and approved before the functions are implemented in the rail vehicles, whereupon the basic functions and optional functions are made available in the rail vehicles. In a selected rail vehicle, at least one optional function is activated or deactivated using a switching parameter that is individually allocated to the optional function. The switching parameter required therefor is established outside the rail vehicle and is then transmitted to the selected rail vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Alexander Weber
  • Patent number: 12236386
    Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating a time of arrival for a vehicle at a destination are disclosed. The system will access an adjacency graph comprising nodes and edges. Each node is associated with a unique location in a geographic area in which the vehicle is traveling. Each edge connects two of the nodes and is associated with an estimated travel time between the two connected nodes. The system will select, from the locations in adjacency graph, a first location that is near the vehicle and a second location that is near the destination. The location and destination are each associated with nodes in adjacency graph. The system will calculate a shortest path along the edges in the adjacency graph from the location and destination nodes, and it will calculate an estimated time of arrival for the vehicle as a function of the estimated travel times along the shortest path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Volkswagen Group of America Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Shubhashree Venkatesh, Noe Brito, Yee-Ning Cheng, Madhav Chhura, Sebastian Dovenor, John Drake, Jonathan Pan, Jason Parraga, Scott Plant
  • Patent number: 12236397
    Abstract: A gateway node detects loading of a unit load device (ULD) into a vehicle by fusing sensed information. The gateway node, physically coupled to a loading platform of a loader, determines its location and a vehicle identifier (ID) of the vehicle based on the location. The gateway node detects an increase in elevation of the loading platform and receives a movement message containing a unique ID of a tape node attached to the ULD. The gateway node determines that the ULD is being loaded into the vehicle based on the vehicle ID, the detected increase in elevation of the loading platform, and an association of the unique ID with the ULD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Inventors: Hendrik J. Volkerink, Ajay Khoche, Aaron Storrs, Patrick Muggler, Prabhat Verma
  • Patent number: 12229711
    Abstract: A method for tracking physical assets can include: receiving a digital asset; determining an asset identifier for the digital asset; generating an asset barcode; optionally facilitating printing and sending of the asset to an asset recipient; determining an asset event for the asset; and notifying a sender of an asset event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Lob.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Leore Avidar, Ami Wang, Manushika Yapa
  • Patent number: 12208688
    Abstract: A system receives a vehicle transport instruction for transporting a vehicle. The system instructs display of an indicator related to the transport instruction, using a first vehicle output. Further, the system determines whether a vehicle is in a state designated for alert notification based on at least a transportation error detected by the vehicle and changes at least one of the first vehicle output or a second vehicle output to indicate the transportation error responsive to detection of the transportation error by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Inventors: David Lloyd Nutt, Douglas Smith, Vijay Malik, Richard Moore, Harshavardhan Chitta, Claudia Gonzalez, Bethany Toups
  • Patent number: 12182757
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to automatically generating a jurisdiction entry compliance indicator (JECI) based on an automatically generated content attributes profile (CAP) for a closed package. In an illustrative example, the CAP may be generated based on predetermined content attributes selected by a content characterization model as a function of a contents description profile (CDP) for the package. The CDP may, for example, be automatically generated by a natural language processing model as a function of a predetermined text description of contents of the package. The JECI may be generated as a function of the CAP, predetermined permissions rules, and predetermined permissions attributes. The predetermined permissions attributes may be associated with the originator. The predetermined permissions rules may be identified by a rules identification model as a function of the CAP and a destination of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Inventor: Vicente Cardenas
  • Patent number: 12182863
    Abstract: A method may include storing information in a supply mesh. The supply mesh may include two or more value links. The method may include determining that a first value link of the two or more value links fulfills a value link condition of a second value link. The method may include providing a transaction proposal to the first value link. The transaction proposal may include an amount of private currency. The method may include receiving, from the first value link, a transaction acceptance to the transaction proposal. The method may include transferring the amount of private currency from the second value link to the first value link. The method may include confirming completion of a transaction between the first value link and the second value link. The transaction may be based on the transaction proposal. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: OMNY, Inc.
    Inventors: Maik Lindner, Sean O'Brien, Faried Amani, Alan Pohl
  • Patent number: 12175412
    Abstract: When a merchant ships a product to a buyer, the merchant may wish to push shipping status updates to the buyer. Moreover, the buyer may wish to receive a notification when a shipping event has occurred in order to remain informed regarding the shipping status of their package without actively checking the package's status with the carrier. In some embodiments, there is provided a computer-implemented system and method that obtains a tracking identifier for a package, transmits the tracking identifier to a carrier's computing interface (e.g. the carrier's API), receives back an indication of the most recent shipping event, predicts the time of a next shipping event at least based on the most recent shipping event, and retransmits the tracking identifier to the computing interface based on the predicted time of the next shipping event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: SHOPIFY INC.
    Inventors: George Yacoub, Peng Yu, Ali Kiyan Azarbar, Vahe Khachikyan, Siavash Ghorbani
  • Patent number: 12148281
    Abstract: A data logger device is provided. The data logger device according to an example embodiment of the present invention comprises: a sensing unit mounted on one surface of a flexible printed circuit board, and including a sensor that detects at least one piece of information; a display unit that, when an abnormal state is detected on the basis of information measured via the sensing unit, irreversibly displays the abnormal state; a control unit that controls driving of the sensing unit and the display unit; a power supply unit that provides driving power to the control unit; and a cover member that prevents the outside exposure of the sensing unit, the display unit, the control unit, and the power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: AMOSENSE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Eung Kim, Jin Sung Yang, Byeong An Yu
  • Patent number: 12131285
    Abstract: Multi-domain management of a node-based logistics receptacle that is responsive to a dispatched logistics operation involving the node-based logistics receptacle and a mobile courier node. The node-based logistics receptacle has a plurality of storage receptacle components including at least an entrance opening for receiving one or more shipping items, a temporary storage area for temporarily maintaining the one or more shipping items once received, and a retrieval door providing selective access to the one or more shipping items within the temporary storage area. The node-based logistics receptacle further includes a wireless accessory sensor node disposed on the node-based logistics receptacle and a receptacle bridge node disposed on the node-based logistics receptacle operative to communicate with a backend server. The wireless accessory sensor node is operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ole-Petter Skaaksrud
  • Patent number: 12112292
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reconciling location based on multiple computing device signals. For example, the computing system can obtain location datasets associated with freight carrier services from computing sources. The computing system can determine an expected signal pattern for a location associated with a freight transportation service. The computing system can determine, for each computing source, a confidence score. The confidence score can represent the probability that the respective location dataset is associated with a load being transported for a freight transportation service. The computing system can determine a primary location dataset based on the confidence scores. The computing system can perform actions based on the primary location dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ajinkya Manoj Deshpande, Mudit Gupta, Siddharth Rane, Martin Alan Tromblee, Jianing Wang, Yu Wang, David Wee, Cheng Wei
  • Patent number: 12079762
    Abstract: A user can receive an article even when the user of a delivery destination is absent. An information processing device includes: a storage unit configured to store article identification information, article name information, delivery destination user identification information, delivery destination information, and arrival date and time information in association with each other; a notification unit configured to notify a delivery destination information terminal used by the delivery destination user of an arrival date and time before the moving body starts to move to deliver the delivery target article to the delivery destination; and an information receiving unit configured to store housing place identification information in the storage unit when the housing place identification information and information are received, in which the notification unit notifies the delivery destination information terminal of the article name of the delivery target article and the housing place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: KDDI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Tachiiwa, Tomoaki Matsuki, Hiroshi Kawana
  • Patent number: 12079761
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to coordinating the exchange of information relating to the delivery of assets (e.g., packages, freight, supplies, parts, materials, raw goods, inventory, tools, and equipment) in a supply chain or inventor management context. A status token may be provided to an unauthorized user, wherein the status token is initialized in an invalid state. Attempts to query status information while the status token may be denied and/or convey no information regarding the status of the asset. If an adverse condition occurred during a designated time period, status information for the asset may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Lee, Jacob Mapel, Hunter Shinn, Zach Ritter, Alexis Cohen
  • Patent number: 12079316
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating secure delivery of goods. A coordination processor communicates with a package storage system and delivery provider device to deliver goods to a user. In response to a user ordering one or more goods, the coordination processor provides the delivery provider device with a delivery provider code usable to access a secure storage container at the package storage system. The coordination processor also provides the user with a first user code. Once the goods are positioned in the storage container, an alert is transmitted to the user device. The user can then input the first user code at the package storage system. In response to validating the first user code a second, different, user code can be transmitted to the user device. The user can input the second user code in order to access the secure storage container and retrieve the goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Inventors: David Bridge, Ruston Jeroen Hoffman
  • Patent number: 12073728
    Abstract: A system and a method for automatically starting and/or stopping a monitoring device. The method includes detecting halt of a vehicle using a first sensor and a second sensor. The method also includes communicating with a server after detecting the halt to determine a trip assignment status of a monitoring device placed inside the vehicle. The method further includes determining if the vehicle is within a geofence of a trip starting location based on the trip assignment status of the monitoring device. The method further includes determining speed of the vehicle after the vehicle is within the geo-fence of the trip starting location. Accordingly, the monitoring device is automatically started when the speed of the vehicle reaches above a pre-determined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anup Khandekar, Ananthakrishnan N, Ramesh Babu
  • Patent number: 12056974
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods and systems for accessing a secured building by delivery personnel for delivery of a package including return of a package. The method includes retrieving information from a code associated with a carrier and an address. The code may be a barcode with encoded information. The method further includes confirming that the address is associated with the secured building and further validating the carrier as an authorized carrier by an identification of the carrier. The method further includes validating a status associated with the information to be “in transit” or “out for delivery” for delivery of a package, or “waiting for pick-up” for return of a package. The method may further include checking that an update to the status is within 24 hours. Upon positive response of the status, the method further includes allowing access to the secured building or eventually allowing access to a locker system in the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: 1VALET CORP.
    Inventor: Hanna Haddad
  • Patent number: 12051028
    Abstract: Implementations of a method of modeling a flow of resources may include generating a stage resource database when the resources reach one or more stages from one or more supply nodes. The method may also include using a mass balance module to maintain an outflow less than or equal to a supply at the one or more supply nodes and an inflow greater than or equal to demand at the one or more stages. The method may include enforcing movement of resources to or from one or more supply nodes of the supply chain to the one or more stages. The method may include using a non-negativity constraint module to maintain a non-negative amount to be transported. The method may also include using a flow generation module and one or more constraint thresholds to report to a user the flow of the resources using one or more computer interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignees: Arizona Board of Regents Acting For and on Behalf of North Arizona University, Arizona State University
    Inventors: Kevin Gurney, Deborah Huntzinger, Taha Moiz, Nathan Parker, Richard Rushforth, Benjamin L. Ruddell
  • Patent number: 12020300
    Abstract: A personalized delivery estimate system is described. A commercial transaction is generated between a seller and a buyer for an item in an online marketplace. Historical transactions of buyers and sellers in the online marketplace are stored in a storage device. A personalized delivery time estimate is computed for the buyer of the commercial transaction using seller information, buyer information, and item information with the historical transactions of buyers and sellers in the online marketplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: EBAY INC.
    Inventors: Gurushyam Hariharan, Faisal Masud, Prakash Muppirala, Raj Desai
  • Patent number: 12008509
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: obtaining ideal delivery conditions associated with one or more food products; accumulating sensor data associated with a first food product, wherein the sensor data is obtained by at least one sensor which is coupled to a product container containing the first food product; analyzing the sensor data obtained by the at least one sensor associated with the first food product; identifying condition data associated with conditions in the product container containing the first food product; generating a food product history for the first food product including the condition data; comparing the food product history to the ideal delivery conditions for analyzing performance of entities involved in delivery of the first food product from an origin to a destination using at least the food product history, the condition data, and the ideal delivery conditions; and generating a report of results of the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: ZEST LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter A. Mehring, Thomas C. Reese, Dean M. Kawaguchi, Sameer Dekate, Russell Shikami
  • Patent number: 12001476
    Abstract: An airline baggage management system includes a boarding reception device; a loading reception device; and a server. The boarding reception device outputs a baggage tag with an RF tag in which tag information is recorded, the tag information including at least one of a user ID, a boarding pass ID, and a baggage ID. The loading reception device includes: a loading reader unit that performs wireless communication with the RF tag of the baggage tag attached to the baggage has arrived at the loading position to read the tag recorded in the RF tag; an information generating unit generates loading position-related information, which is related to a position in the scheduled boarding plane at which the baggage whose tag information has been read by the loading reader unit is to be loaded; and a loading transmission unit transmits the tag information and the loading position-related information to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Kazuo Mizuno, Naoki Ukai, Takayoshi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 11983664
    Abstract: A shipping management system includes one or more computer systems coupled to a network and a data storage device. The shipping management system uses one or more ingest modules to collect shipping information from the computer systems of multiple carriers. The shipping management system uses one or more normalization modules to normalize carrier specific data. The shipping management system uses one or more prediction modules to analyze the normalized shipping information using a set of prediction rules. The shipping management system identifies carrier exceptions and generates predicted exceptions based on the normalized shipping information. The shipping management system can selectively generate notifications, take actions, and/or resolve identified and generated exceptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: CONVEY, LLC
    Inventors: Olivier Jean Marie Modica, Jennifer Lynn Bebout
  • Patent number: 11972384
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating delivery of goods from a retail location to a customer are disclosed. In one method, a request is received from a customer user which includes an order for goods to be delivered from a retail store. One or more delivery users within a predefined geographic area shared with a location of the customer user are identified. A delivery user agrees to pick up the customer's order and deliver the requested goods to the customer's home. Confirmation messages are automatically sent and received when the delivery user picks up the customer's order and again when the order is delivered to the customer. The delivery user can earn rewards or payments upon completion of successful delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca Swartz, Aarthi Srinivasan, James Neumann
  • Patent number: 11972389
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an unmanned delivery management device. The unmanned delivery management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a travel route manager, a delivery information manager, an obstacle analyzer, and a UAV control manager. Wherein the travel route manager is configured to confirm delivery mission information provided by a user terminal, to set a waypoint based on the delivery mission information, to set a travel route including a waypoint for a takeoff segment, a landing segment and a flight segment, and to correct the travel route according to a travel condition of a UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Moon Sung Park, Yeong Woong Yu
  • Patent number: 11972441
    Abstract: In one aspect, an example methodology implementing the disclosed techniques includes, by a computing device, retrieving touchpoint data of a product and creating a data element based on the retrieved touchpoint data, the data element includes information about a touchpoint of the product by a stakeholder. The method also includes, by the computing device, adding the created data element to a product pedigree list, wherein the product pedigree list is a pedigree list which contains data elements of the product. The method may further include, by the computing device, storing the product pedigree list in a graph database. The method may further include, by the computing device, predicting, using a machine learning (ML) model (e.g., an autoencoder), whether a state of the product pedigree list is normal or anomalous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: David John Linsey, Bijan Kumar Mohanty, Lokajit Tikayatray, Hung Dinh
  • Patent number: 11970341
    Abstract: In an article transfer facility, a drive portion includes a first Z-axis drive portion configured to move a holding portion in a Z direction, a first X-axis drive portion configured to move the holding portion in an X direction, a first Y-axis drive portion configured to move the holding portion in a Y direction, and a second X-axis drive portion configured to move a placement portion in the X direction. A control portion executes first control in which an article at a first position is placed on the placement portion, and second control in which the article placed on the placement portion is arranged at a second position. In the first control, the drive portion is controlled such that the holding portion picks up the article at the first position and moves to a position on an upper side of the placement portion, and thereafter releases the article to place the article on the placement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11961038
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating the transportation of shipping containers through a terminal are provided. The systems and methods provide for efficient storage of shipping containers in flow stacks in a terminal, enable collaboration among users, and provide efficiencies in executing export street turns and the use of off dock container yards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: E*Dray 20/20, LLC
    Inventors: Kendall P. Kellaway, Jr., Reade Kidd
  • Patent number: 11961035
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for enhanced geographical caching of estimated arrival times. A method may include receiving respective user inputs indicative of respective users being in transit to a destination location from within a geographic region; determining, for the first user and the second user, a first estimated time of arrival from a first geographical area to the destination location, the first geographical area including the first location and the second location; identifying a third location of the first device at a third time, wherein the third location is within the first geographical area; determining that a time-to-live (TTL) of the first estimated time of arrival has not expired at the third time; and refraining from recalculating the first estimated time of arrival.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Neville, Ryan David Hapgood, Jeremy S. Jonas, Ken Peter Gilmore Wilson, Charles Plunkett O'Farrell
  • Patent number: 11935347
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems for community item distribution. In some implementations, the community item distribution system includes a platform for users to post information regarding items they want to share with the community. The community item distribution system can categorize the information and establish donation parameters for the shared items. The donation parameters can include where and when items can be donated or retrieved, what types of items can be donated, and who can request the donated items. In some cases, the community item distribution system can generate a user interface listing the available items that users can request. Upon request of an item, the community item distribution system can schedule a drone to transport the item, in a secured container with ultraviolet lights to disinfect the item, from the storage location to the delivery location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Ashley Raine Philbrick
  • Patent number: 11915188
    Abstract: A delivery server includes a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to: transmit arrival information of a product to a user terminal carried by a user who has ordered the product; transmit, in a case where unattended delivery is instructed by the user terminal, unattended delivery information to a home delivery terminal of a delivery person who delivers the product, and request a signature of the user; transmit the signature information to the home delivery terminal in response to receiving signature information regarding the signature of the user from the user terminal; and transmit delivery completion information of the product to the user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Okazaki, Masato Endo, Mayumi Kurita, Masashi Toritani, Kumiko Matsuura, Takayuki Shikoda, Masaaki Otsuka, Yoshikazu Ishii
  • Patent number: 11907888
    Abstract: One or more processors obtain a first radio environment signature associated with an aerial vehicle (AV) and a second radio environment signature associated with a computing device. Responsive to determining that the first radio environment signature and the second radio environment signature satisfy a similarity criteria, the one or more processors generate a validation data object verifying one or more of (i) that a location of the AV substantially corresponds to a location of the computing device at a time associated with at least one of the first radio environment signature or the second radio environment signature, (ii) a AV delivery associated with the AV and the computing device, or (iii) a AV pickup associated with the AV and the computing device. The one or more processors store or provide validation information based on the validation data object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Petri Rauhala, Lauri Aarne Johannes Wirola, Mike Koivisto, Justin Eylander
  • Patent number: 11880478
    Abstract: A traceability information management server includes: a transaction reception part that receives transaction data from a user client, the transaction data containing information on a completed process in distribution of a product and a concerned party in the completed process; an access right information generation part that generates access right information, the access right information being information on a relation between the completed process, the concerned party in the completed process, and a predetermined access right of the concerned party; an access right determination part that identifies, based on the access right information, information on a process in the distribution to which a sender of the received information provision request from the user client has an access right; and an information transmission part that transmits the identified information on the process to the user client that has sent the information provision request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nagano, Masayuki Oyamatsu, Shohei Yamagata, Toshiomi Moriki
  • Patent number: 11853957
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to management of automated delivery fleets are disclosed. Such systems and methods include using functionally-aligned machine learning engines to manage aspects of fleet dispatch and routing, inventory level adjustments, and order optimization. The techniques may be applied to manage an automated fleet delivery services system controlling a fleet of autonomous delivery devices (e.g., UAVs) to deliver products from a plurality of distribution hubs to fulfil customer orders. The interconnected machine learning engines enable efficient management of various aspects of such automated fleet delivery services in real time, including optimization of fleet distribution, optimization of inventory distribution, and optimization of order distribution. Optimization of order distribution may be obtained by dynamically adjusting delivery charges for orders based upon current fleet capacity and inventory levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: WALGREEN CO.
    Inventor: Vince Scalabrino
  • Patent number: 11853955
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computerized method for package management, including: storing, in a data structure, information of a seller in association with a plurality of items sold by the seller; receiving an indication of a transaction, the transaction indication including an address of a customer and at least one item identifier corresponding to an item sold by the seller; converting the transaction indication into a shipment request by formatting the transaction indication according to a standardized format required by a shipper; generating a message containing the formatted shipment request; transmitting the message to the shipper in real time to initialize shipment of the item; and providing real time confirmation to the seller and the customer that shipment has been initialized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: COUPANG CORP.
    Inventors: Erik Rehn, Himanshu Doshi, Young Shin Kang, Haitao Jiang, In Hye Hwang
  • Patent number: 11842319
    Abstract: A method for recipient-initiated shipping includes receiving, at an internet connected server, recipient data (including a first shipping address) from a shipping recipient; providing delivery options to the shipping recipient based on a set of delivery option criteria and the recipient data; receiving a delivery choice from the shipping recipient; and notifying at least one of a shipping sender and a shipping carrier of the delivery choice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Simpler Postage, Inc.
    Inventor: Jarrett Streebin
  • Patent number: 11830012
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for complying with customs regulations for overseas shipments. The customs compliance systems and methods rely on current data to timely and accurately submit (or correct and resubmit) an “Importer Security Filing” or “ISF” to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“U.S. CBP”) authority. In particular, the present systems retrieve (e.g., using various APIs) and rely on current data from the most accurate or up-to-date sources of such data. Moreover, each ISF record is handled independently, retrieving the current data as needed rather than in sequential, batched requests. As a result, errors and time for processing ISF submissions are reduced because accurate data is more readily and promptly available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Helvie, Brenda Maurseth, Kyle LaShomb, Bindu Francis
  • Patent number: 11829938
    Abstract: An information processing system includes: an acquisition portion configured to acquire pieces of attribute information of a first package; a controlling portion configured to perform a determination process of determining whether or not a first vehicle is suitable as a collection and delivery place for the first package based on package attribute condition information that is included in the attribute information of the first package, the package attribute condition information being related to an attribute of the first package as one of determination conditions based on which the first vehicle is determined to be suitable as the collection and delivery place; and an output portion configured to output a result of the determination process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei Kanaoka, Shun Maeda, Yoshihiro Murozaki, Hiroko Tsujimura, Daiki Kaneichi, Kuniaki Jinnai
  • Patent number: 11810134
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system for determining delivery estimates for shipping a parcel include: retrieving historical delivery data from a plurality of shipping carriers; generating cross-carrier delivery features based on normalizing the historical delivery data; generating a cross-carrier delivery prediction model based on the cross-carrier delivery features; retrieving parcel data for the parcel based on a tracking number S140; generating parcel features based on normalizing the parcel data S150; determining a delivery estimate for the parcel based on processing the parcel features with the cross-carrier delivery prediction model S160; and responding to the delivery estimate S170.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Simpler Postage, Inc.
    Inventor: Sawyer Bateman
  • Patent number: 11810054
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to automatically generating a jurisdiction entry compliance indicator (JECI) based on an automatically generated content attributes profile (CAP) for a closed package. In an illustrative example, the CAP may be generated based on predetermined content attributes selected by a content characterization model as a function of a contents description profile (CDP) for the package. The CDP may, for example, be automatically generated by a natural language processing model as a function of a predetermined text description of contents of the package. The JECI may be generated as a function of the CAP, predetermined permissions rules, and predetermined permissions attributes. The predetermined permissions attributes may be associated with the originator. The predetermined permissions rules may be identified by a rules identification model as a function of the CAP and a destination of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Vicente Cardenas
  • Patent number: 11803806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic routing of delivery resources for delivery of items from a pickup location on or near a first planned route to a delivery location on or near a second planned route. Methods can include identifying a first route and a second route based on the pickup and delivery locations, selecting one of a predetermined plurality of transfer nodes based on the locations of the first and second routes, and sending instructions to resources traveling along the first and second routes to meet and transfer the items at the selected transfer node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Stephen M. Dearing
  • Patent number: 11803809
    Abstract: Systems and methods which provide physical task interaction control with respect to fulfilment management systems used in order fulfilment management are described. A physical task interaction controller may be provided in association with a fulfilment management system, whereby a user interface is configured to provide physical task interaction control for one or more functions of the fulfilment management systems by shipper personnel. A physical task interaction controller of embodiments may comprise a natural protocol engine, an augmented reality engine, and an artificial intelligence engine. The physical task interaction control of embodiments facilitates shipper personnel interacting with, and controlling operations of, the fulfilment management system relevant to a fulfilment physical task currently being performed by the shipper personnel without either the need for separate personnel to perform the digital tasks or the shipper personnel having to leave the fulfilment physical tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: SHIPPINGEASY GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Barry Neal Cox
  • Patent number: 11803805
    Abstract: For each order in a supply chain, order details are accessed. A disposition of each load of each order, the disposition comprising a plurality of expected milestones and a plurality of actual milestones. Each load is identified as either completed or projected based on the disposition of the load. An inventory readiness metric for each load is determined based on the disposition of the load. An inventory readiness root cause for each load is determined based on the disposition of the load. Load data for each load is stored in a supply chain data store. The load data comprising the disposition of the load, the inventory readiness metric for the load, and the inventory readiness root cause for the load. Queries about the supply chain are responded to using the load data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Johnson, Michael Rorro, Patrick McNeil, Roshan Choudhary, Ruchi Nema, Jaideep Shetty, Chinmay Jethwa
  • Patent number: 11794623
    Abstract: Vehicle shelf systems having indicators thereon for improving loading and delivery efficiency. Items are scanned for loading, and the indicators on the vehicle shelves identify where to place the item based on the sequence of the delivery point along the delivery route. A mobile computing device alerts a delivery carrier when the delivery vehicle is in proximity to a delivery point when an item is to be delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: William Schwartz, Amy Longshore, Erika Thoeny, Sierra Raney, Michael Nagy, Andrew Garcia
  • Patent number: 11790307
    Abstract: An information processing device executes: identifying a first region where a predetermined module is insufficient in number, the predetermined module being a module that is attachable to and detachable from a movable object; identifying a second region where the predetermined module is superfluous in number; instructing a movable object equipped with the predetermined module in the second region to provide the superfluous predetermined module to a predetermined movable object; instructing the predetermined movable object to cause the predetermined module to be attached in the second region and transport the predetermined module to the first region; and instructing a movable object not equipped with the predetermined module in the first region to receive the predetermined module transported to the first region by the predetermined movable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromichi Dogishi, Masaki Shitara, Keiji Yamashita, Nozomi Kaneko, Naoki Yamamuro, Shunsuke Tanimori, Ryoichi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 11783278
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for enforcing consistency of data between disparate systems of a transportation network with verified transactions. Embodiments include receiving a transaction that is generated based on a command indicating an intent to transfer an asset from the originating hub to a destination hub. The generated transaction can include a sender identifier associated with the originating hub, an asset identifier associated with the asset, and a detected location of the asset. The received transaction is communicated to any node of the plurality of nodes that are configured store it onto a distributed ledger based on a determined verification that the included detected location corresponds to a location associated with the included sender identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Balakrishna Subramaniam, Jason Chodyniecki
  • Patent number: 11778583
    Abstract: Technologies for autonomously determining location information of a network node in a mesh network are provided. For example, a mesh network includes primary nodes whose locations are known and secondary nodes whose locations are to be determined. A secondary node is configured to identify in-range primary nodes among the primary nodes that are in the communication range of the secondary node, and determine whether the number of the in-range primary nodes is above a threshold. If the number of the in-range primary nodes is above the threshold, the secondary node further determines a distance between the secondary node and each of selected in-range primary nodes, and calculates a location of the secondary node based on the distances and the respective locations of the selected in-range primary nodes. The secondary node further transmits the calculated location to a headend system over the mesh network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LANDIS+GYR INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Karlgaard, John Radgowski
  • Patent number: 11774265
    Abstract: A system and method for publishing map data to an end user at a specified location includes a computing device. The computing device displays a map portion of an area on a digital display. The computing device receives at least one selection by a primary user for a portion of the area represented by the map, creating at least one geofence, and the computing device may attach digital media to the at least one first geofence by the primary user. The map data is retrievable from a mobile computing device of an end user when the mobile computing device is within a location corresponding to the at least one geofence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Timothy Edwin Argo
  • Patent number: 11769108
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for determining alternative delivery destinations. For example, in various embodiments, a method may be provided comprising receiving shipping information/data for an item indicating the item to be delivered to an original consignee by a carrier and comprising at least a default delivery location, determining whether the original consignee has indicated a first priority alternative consignee among one or more alternative consignees, and in an instance in which a determination is made that the original consignee has indicated the first priority alternative consignee among the one or more alternative consignees, delivering the item to the first priority alternative consignee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Carl Sager, William Gensburg
  • Patent number: 11720848
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises receiving location information for an item. The location information indicates the current physical location of the item. The method further comprises determining whether the item is located within a first configurable distance of an establishment and responsive to determining that the item is located within the first configurable distance of the establishment, requesting first location information for the consignee of the item and second location information for the consignee of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gillen, David Sisco, Sara Zoromsky, Jeff Enyart, Kalin Robinson, David Carder
  • Patent number: 11715061
    Abstract: A system and method are presented that utilize an unaltered application programming interface (API) provided by a shipping aggregator to provide a customer-facing aggregation service. Standard shipping aggregator APIs are unable to accept customer-specified ship-from addresses and customer-specified package details. This is especially true when using standard e-commerce platforms. Custom integration programming operates between the e-commerce platform and the unaltered shipping aggregator API in order to provide customer-facing aggregation services. Locker locations also form part of the system, allowing customer-facing aggregation using carrier agnostic lockers for ship-from and ship-to locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: ShipPromo, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Merle
  • Patent number: 11710094
    Abstract: A delivery method for a traveling vehicle using a drone includes: transmitting, by an orderer, first information including position information of a vehicle to a server and providing, by the server, a position and an inventory of service providers, which correspond to the first information including the position information of the vehicle, to the orderer; requesting, by the server, service provision to the service provider; transmitting, by the service provider, second information including article preparation information to the server; transmitting, by the server, third information including a plurality pieces of receipt position information, which corresponds to the first information including the position information of the vehicle and the second information including the article preparation information, to the orderer; transmitting, by the orderer, a value selected by receiving the third information including the plurality pieces of receipt position information to the server; transmitting, by the server,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kyoung Joo Kim