US 11,989,691 B2
System and method for providing real-time tracking of items in a distribution network
Stephen M. Dearing, Herndon, VA (US); Kuldip K. Goyal, Alexandria, VA (US); Carla F. Sherry, Annandale, VA (US); Amy B. Cradic, Reston, VA (US); C. Scot Atkins, Chantilly, VA (US); and Himesh A. Patel, Centerville, VA (US)
Assigned to United States Postal Service, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by United States Postal Service, Washington, DC (US)
Filed on Feb. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/175,280.
Application 17/474,964 is a division of application No. 16/838,869, filed on Apr. 2, 2020, granted, now 11,379,790, issued on Jul. 5, 2022.
Application 18/175,280 is a continuation of application No. 17/474,964, filed on Sep. 14, 2021, granted, now 11,593,757.
Application 16/838,869 is a continuation of application No. 15/787,135, filed on Oct. 18, 2017, granted, now 10,748,113, issued on Aug. 18, 2020.
Application 15/787,135 is a continuation of application No. 15/053,746, filed on Feb. 25, 2016, granted, now 9,836,718, issued on Dec. 5, 2017.
Application 15/053,746 is a continuation of application No. 14/309,747, filed on Jun. 19, 2014, granted, now 9,336,510, issued on May 10, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/936,239, filed on Feb. 5, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/837,047, filed on Jun. 19, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2023/0214772 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06Q 10/087 (2023.01); B07C 3/18 (2006.01); G06K 7/14 (2006.01); G06Q 10/04 (2023.01); G06Q 10/063 (2023.01); G06Q 10/08 (2023.01); G06Q 10/083 (2023.01); G06Q 10/0833 (2023.01); G06Q 30/0201 (2023.01); G06Q 30/0241 (2023.01); G06Q 50/60 (2024.01)
CPC G06Q 10/087 (2013.01) [B07C 3/18 (2013.01); G06K 7/1413 (2013.01); G06K 7/1417 (2013.01); G06Q 10/04 (2013.01); G06Q 10/063 (2013.01); G06Q 10/08 (2013.01); G06Q 10/083 (2013.01); G06Q 10/0833 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0201 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0241 (2013.01); G06Q 50/60 (2024.01); B07C 2301/0025 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for routing items comprising:
a plurality of item processing devices each comprising a scanner configured to scan a computer readable code on an item and generate scan data; and
a processor in communication with the plurality of item processing devices, the processor configured to:
receive the scan data from the plurality of item processing devices;
determine a delivery pathway for the item, the delivery pathway comprising a plurality of expected handling events;
calculate an estimated delivery time based on the delivery pathway; and
provide the estimated delivery time to a sender.