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US 12,354,048 B2Granted
Beacon enabled distribution items
AssigneeUnited States Postal Service
InventorsRyan M. Luckay, Robert E. Dixon, Jr., James E. Lee, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods of tracking distribution items using hardware components on or in the distribution items. Shippers and recipients of distribution items can track or locate a distribution item, especially a high value item, if the distribution item is lost, misrouted, or delayed. Distribution items can be tracked until an indication of delivery, such as at a delivery location.
Claims18
A system for enabling automatic tracking of a location of a distribution item comprising:
- a beacon on the distribution item having a sensor and a microprocessor for emitting and receiving signals;
- one or more processors in communication with the beacon, the one or more processors configured to:
- receive, by the sensor and the microprocessor of the beacon, an interrogation signal;
- transmitting, by the beacon in response to the interrogation signal, an identifier signal, the identifier signal including a unique identifier associated with the distribution item;
- transmitting, by the beacon, a delivery event indicator;
- in response to emitting the identifier signal and the delivery event indicator, receiving, by the beacon, a deactivation signal;
- and
- deactivating the beacon.
5 more elements
A method for enabling automatic tracking of a location items comprising:
- receiving, by a beacon on a distribution item an interrogation signal;
- transmitting, by the beacon in response to the interrogation signal, an identifier signal, the identifier signal including a unique identifier associated with the distribution item;
- transmitting, by the beacon, a delivery event indicator;
- in response to transmitting the identifier signal and the delivery event indicator, receiving, by the beacon, a deactivation signal;
- and
- deactivating the beacon.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.