US 12,354,048 B2
Beacon enabled distribution items
Ryan M. Luckay, Washington, DC (US); Robert E. Dixon, Jr., Washington, DC (US); and James E. Lee, Sr., Washington, DC (US)
Assigned to United States Postal Service, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by United States Postal Service, Washington, DC (US)
Filed on Jan. 26, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/424,622.
Application 16/582,215 is a division of application No. 15/862,003, filed on Jan. 4, 2018, granted, now 10,650,479, issued on May 12, 2020.
Application 18/424,622 is a continuation of application No. 18/055,354, filed on Nov. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,887,205.
Application 18/055,354 is a continuation of application No. 16/582,215, filed on Sep. 25, 2019, granted, now 11,501,400, issued on Nov. 15, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/505,299, filed on May 12, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/442,345, filed on Jan. 4, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0169301 A1, May 23, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06F 21/88 (2013.01); G06K 7/10 (2006.01); G06K 19/02 (2006.01); G06K 19/077 (2006.01); G06Q 10/08 (2023.01); G06Q 10/0833 (2023.01); G06Q 20/28 (2012.01); G08B 3/10 (2006.01); G08B 21/02 (2006.01); H04W 12/47 (2021.01); H04W 24/04 (2009.01)
CPC G06Q 10/08 (2013.01) [G06K 7/10108 (2013.01); G06K 19/025 (2013.01); G06K 19/07758 (2013.01); G06Q 20/28 (2013.01); G08B 3/1016 (2013.01); G08B 21/0275 (2013.01); H04W 12/47 (2021.01); H04W 24/04 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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.