United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

Other

Kalin Robinson

Robert J Gillen

David Carder

Sara Zoromsky

Jeff Enyart

David Sisco

Bob Gillen

Juan R Perez

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. The method further comprises determining whether the consignee is within a second configurable distance of the establishment based at least in part on the first location information for the consignee and the second location information for the consignee and providing a notification for display via a user interface of an application executing on a customer computing entity.

Location-based pick up and delivery services

A synchronized delivery system for delivering parcels directly to an alternate delivery location such as a locker bank in lieu of making any delivery attempt at a primary delivery location such as a home or office. The system may deliver parcels directly to the alternate delivery location when a related parcel is currently stored at the alternate delivery location awaiting pickup. A related parcel may include a parcel addressed to the same consignee, to a related consignee (e.g., such as a neighbor, roommate, or spouse), or to another authorized to pick up parcels on behalf of the consignee. When delivering parcels to alternate deliver locations, the system may facilitate a grouping of related parcels in a single locker.

Systems and methods for synchronizing delivery of related parcels via a computerized locker bank

Systems and methods for synchronizing delivery of related parcels via computerized locker bank

A system for redirecting a parcel from a primary delivery location (e.g., a residential address) to a locker bank is configured to redirect the parcel following an unsuccessful delivery attempt at the primary delivery location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a suitable locker bank to which to redirect the parcel based on preferences received from a carrier (e.g., common carrier), shipper of the parcel, or consignee of the parcel. In various embodiments, following the unsuccessful delivery attempt, the system is configured to receive a request to deliver the parcel to the locker bank, provide access to one or more lockers at the locker bank for placement of the parcel, receive confirmation that the parcel has been placed in a particular locker at the locker bank, and associate the parcel with the particular locker.

Systems and methods for conveying a parcel to a consignee, for example, after an unsuccessful delivery attempt

Computerized locker banks and related computing systems, according to various embodiments, are adapted to track consignee-specific and non-consignee-specific data regarding the pickup of parcels from particular locker banks (or other alternate delivery locations) and to use that information to forecast inventories for the particular locker banks over time. For example, the system may use this information, and/or other suitable information, to generate a set of projected inventories for a particular locker bank for each sequential two-hour block of time on a particular day. This information may be used to determine which locker bank to route a particular parcel to. This may be especially useful in the context of 'not-in-one' deliveries in which a delivery driver unsuccessfully attempts to deliver a parcel to a consignee's primary delivery address and the parcel is re-routed to a locker bank or other alternative delivery location for later pickup by the consignee.

Computerized locker banks with enhanced forecasting capabilities

Systems, according to various embodiments, are adapted to use any of a variety of different techniques to identify an individual. In particular embodiments, the system is adapted to, at least partially in response to confirming the identity of a consignee of a parcel, provide the consignee with access to a parcel stored within a secured locker. In particular embodiments, the system may use the current or past location of the consignee, or information from one or more objects physically associated with the consignee (e.g., a portable computing device or an electronic or paper info notice) to verify the consignee's identity.

Systems and methods for confirming an identity of an individual, for example, at a locker bank

A locker bank system for expanding the capacity of a fixed locker bank having monitors when the number of available lockers drops below a predefined threshold capacity at the fixed locker bank. In response to this trigger, a mobile locker bank is automatically routed to the fixed locker bank to increase a number of available lockers at the location. A computing system at the fixed locker bank and the mobile locker bank are adapted to control access to the fixed and mobile locker bank lockers. Each locker bank further includes a communication system that is adapted to facilitate direct or indirect communication between the fixed locker bank computing system and the mobile locker bank computing system when the mobile locker bank is positioned adjacent the location of the fixed locker bank. Together the fixed locker bank and the mobile locker bank may function as a unitary locker bank.

Growing community of inventors

Johns Creek, GA, United States of America

Kalin Robinson