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Customer controlled management of shipments

  • US 10,664,787 B2
  • Filed: 10/09/2013
  • Issued: 05/26/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for generating and using machine-readable handling identifiers, the method comprising:

  • via one or more processors;

    receiving an electronic request to return an item, the electronic request input by a user selecting a visible indicia displayed by an interactive user interface executing on a user device;

    determining whether to authorize the return of the item based on programmatically applying a first plurality of business rules for processing returns;

    generating one machine-readable handling identifier associated with the item when programmatically applying the first plurality of business rules for processing the returns determines that the return of the item is authorized, wherein the one machine-readable handling identifier is a single Quick Response code or a single Maxi Code, wherein the single Quick Response code or the single Maxi Code comprises a collection method portion, a return category portion, and a delivery point portion, wherein;

    the collection method portion indicating at least one collection method for the authorized return of the item based on a second plurality of business rules defined by a carrier, wherein the second plurality of business rules specify, based on a particular class of the item, at least one of a personnel pickup of the item, a carrier-specific drop-off location, or a carrier-designated drop-off location that is authorized by the carrier as the at least one collection method for facilitating the authorized return of the item,the return category portion indicating whether to consolidate the item with other items at a consolidation location based on the second plurality of business rules, andthe delivery point portion indicating the delivery destination of the item after any consolidation with the other items based on the second plurality of business rules;

    generating a shipping label in a digital format that is enabled for printing by a printing device, wherein the shipping label includes the one machine-readable handling identifier;

    capturing an image of the one machine-readable handling identifier from the shipping label using a scanning device in a carrier'"'"'s transportation network; and

    responsive to capturing the image of the one machine-readable handling identifier from the shipping label of a parcel for the item;

    programmatically determining which of the collection method portion, the return category portion, and the delivery point portion is currently applicable based on tracking data for the parcel,programmatically determining whether data associated with the captured image complies with the currently applicable portion of the one machine readable handling identifier, andwhen the data associated with the captured image is determined to comply with the currently applicable portion of the one machine readable handling identifier, generating and providing a visible indication that the data associated with the captured image complies with the currently applicable portion of the one machine readable handling identifier.

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